Facilitating radio frequency communications among environmental control system components

ABSTRACT

A boiler control device may include a housing and a wireless communication module for receiving coded control signals from the thermostat device. The boiler control device may also include boiler control circuitry for selectively controlling activation of the boiler-based heating system according to the coded control signals from the thermostat device. An onboard antenna disposed within the housing and communicatively coupled to the wireless communication module, and an interface configured to receive an auxiliary antenna. The auxiliary antenna may be disposed outside of the housing. Detection circuitry may detect times when the auxiliary antenna is communicatively coupled to the interface. Switching circuitry may interrupt communication between the onboard antenna and the wireless communication module during the times when the auxiliary antenna is communicatively coupled to the interface.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This patent specification relates to systems and methods for themonitoring and control of energy-consuming systems or otherresource-consuming systems. More particularly, this patent specificationrelates to control units that govern the operation of energy-consumingsystems, household devices, or other resource-consuming systems,including methods for interfacing with boiler-based heating systems.

BACKGROUND

In European countries, thermostats generally use a bimetallic strip tosense temperature and respond to temperature changes in the room. Themovement of the bimetallic strip is used to directly open and close anelectrical circuit. Power is delivered to an electromechanical actuator,usually relay or contactor in the boiler equipment whenever the contactwas closed to provide heating and/or cooling to the controlled space.Since these thermostats do not require electrical power to operate, thewiring connections were very simple. A two-wire connection typicallyruns between the thermostat and the boiler system.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In some embodiments, a control system flexibly adapted for retrofit usewith multiple types of pre-existing boiler-based heating systems may bepresented. The control system may include a thermostat device. Thethermostat device may include a user interface, a processor, a memory, atemperature sensor, signal encoding circuitry for generating codedcontrol signals for selectively controlling activation of a boiler-basedheating system, and a wireless communication module for transmitting thecoded control signals. The control system may include a boiler controldevice. The boiler control device may include a housing and a wirelesscommunication module for receiving the coded control signals from thethermostat device. The boiler control device may also include boilercontrol circuitry for selectively controlling activation of theboiler-based heating system according to the coded control signals fromthe thermostat device. The boiler control device may additionallyinclude an onboard antenna disposed within the housing andcommunicatively coupled to the wireless communication module, and aninterface configured to receive an auxiliary antenna, the auxiliaryantenna disposed outside of the housing. The boiler control device mayfurther include detection circuitry configured to detect times when theauxiliary antenna is communicatively coupled to the interface. Theboiler control device may also include switching circuitry configured tointerrupt communication between the onboard antenna and the wirelesscommunication module during the times when the auxiliary antenna iscommunicatively coupled to the interface.

In some embodiments, a boiler control device flexibly adapted forretrofit use with multiple types of pre-existing boiler-based heatingsystems may be presented. The boiler control device may include ahousing and a wireless communication module for receiving the codedcontrol signals from the thermostat device. The boiler control devicemay also include boiler control circuitry for selectively controllingactivation of the boiler-based heating system according to the codedcontrol signals from the thermostat device. The boiler control devicemay additionally include an onboard antenna disposed within the housingand communicatively coupled to the wireless communication module, and aninterface configured to receive an auxiliary antenna, the auxiliaryantenna disposed outside of the housing. The boiler control device mayfurther include detection circuitry configured to detect times when theauxiliary antenna is communicatively coupled to the interface. Theboiler control device may also include switching circuitry configured tointerrupt communication between the onboard antenna and the wirelesscommunication module during the times when the auxiliary antenna iscommunicatively coupled to the interface.

In some embodiments, a method of selecting between antennas on a boilercontrol device flexibly adapted for retrofit use with multiple types ofpre-existing boiler-based heating systems may be presented. The methodmay include receiving coded control signals from a thermostat devicethrough a wireless communication module of the boiler control device,and selectively controlling activation of the boiler-based heatingsystem according to the coded control signals from the thermostatdevice. The method may also include detecting times when an auxiliaryantenna is communicatively coupled to an interface. An onboard antennamay be disposed within a housing of the boiler control unit andcommunicatively coupled to the wireless communication module. Aninterface may be configured to receive the auxiliary antenna, and theauxiliary antenna may be disposed outside of the housing. The method mayadditionally include interrupting communication between the onboardantenna and the wireless communication module during the times when theauxiliary antenna is communicatively coupled to the interface.

Various embodiments may include one or more of the following features inany combination. The boiler control device may further include anadditional onboard antenna, where the onboard antenna and the additionalonboard antenna may be positioned approximately orthogonally to eachother. The wireless communication module of the boiler control devicemay be configured to select between the onboard antenna and theadditional onboard antenna based on which is receiving a strongestsignal from the wireless communication module of the thermostat device.The auxiliary antenna may include a coaxial dipole antenna. Theinterface may include a first connector, a second connector, and acircuit element coupling the first connector to the second connector.The circuit element may be configured to appear to the wirelesscommunication module of the boiler control device as an open circuit forwireless communication signals and as a closed circuit for DC signals.The detection circuitry may include a mechanical switch that is actuatedwhen the auxiliary antenna is received by the interface. The detectioncircuitry may be configured to detect a DC short when DC signals arepassed through the interface. The auxiliary antenna may be received bythe interface during installation of the boiler control device.

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the presentinvention may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of thespecification and the drawings. Also note that other embodiments may bedescribed in the following disclosure and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an example of a smart-home environment within which one ormore of the devices, methods, systems, services, and/or computer programproducts described further herein will be applicable, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a network-level view of an extensible devices andservices platform with which the smart-home environment of FIG. 1 can beintegrated, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates an abstracted functional view of the extensibledevices and services platform of FIG. 2, with reference to a processingengine as well as devices of the smart-home environment, according to anembodiment.

FIG. 4A illustrates a home environment with a boiler-based heatingsystem controlled by a programmer, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4B illustrates a home environment with a boiler-based heatingsystem controlled by an intelligent thermostat system, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 4C illustrates an intelligent thermostat system incorporatingwireless connections, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5A illustrates a home environment with a boiler-based heatingsystem controlled with zone valves, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5B illustrates a home environment with a boiler-based heatingsystem controlled with zone valves and an intelligent thermostat system,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates an intelligent thermostat system comprising a headunit, a backplate, and a base unit, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an intelligent thermostat,according to some embodiments.

FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate an intelligent thermostat being controlled by auser, according to some embodiments.

FIGS. 9A-9D illustrate front, bottom, side, and perspective views,respectively, of an intelligent thermostat, according to someembodiments.

FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate exploded front and rear perspective views,respectively, of an intelligent thermostat, according to someembodiments.

FIGS. 11A-11B illustrate exploded front and rear perspective views,respectively, of a head unit of an intelligent thermostat, according tosome embodiments.

FIGS. 12A-12B illustrate exploded front and rear perspective views,respectively, of a head unit frontal assembly of a head unit of anintelligent thermostat, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 13 illustrates a front view of a head unit circuit board of a headunit of an intelligent thermostat, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 14 illustrates a simplified functional block diagram for a headunit, according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 15A-B illustrate front and rear perspective views of a backplateof an intelligent thermostat, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 16 illustrates exploded front and rear perspective views,respectively, of a backplate of an intelligent thermostat, according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 17 illustrates a front view of a backplate circuit board of abackplate of an intelligent thermostat, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 18 illustrates a simplified functional block diagram for abackplate, according to some embodiments.

FIGS. 19A-19C illustrate different installation configurations of anintelligent thermostat, according to some embodiments.

FIGS. 20A-20B illustrate front and rear views of a base unit of anintelligent thermostat system, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 21 illustrates an exploded front perspective view of a base unit ofan intelligent thermostat system, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 22 illustrates a front view of a base unit circuit board of a baseunit, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 23 illustrates a terminal wiring diagram of a base unit, accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 24 illustrates a wiring diagram for a boiler with switched liveactivation, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 25 illustrates a wiring diagram for a boiler with volt-free/drycontact activation, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 26 illustrates a diagram of an intelligent thermostat systemconnected to a zone valve of a boiler-based heating system, according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 27 illustrates a wiring diagram for a boiler with one or more zonevalves, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 28 illustrates a wiring diagram for a boiler with one or more MOMOzone valves, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 29 illustrates a graph of a current pulse train that can be used toindicate a call-for-heat from the thermostat to the base unit, accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 30 illustrates a graph of a circuit that may be used by the baseunit to detect current pulses generated by the thermostat, according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 31 illustrates a circuit that may be used by the thermostat togenerate current pulses, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 32 illustrates a diagram of an intelligent thermostat having morethan one proximity sensor, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 33 illustrates a diagram of a user intending to interact with thethermostat 3200, according to some embodiments.

FIGS. 34A-34C illustrate perspective, side, and rear views,respectively, of an intelligent thermostat stand, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 35 illustrates an exploded view of an intelligent thermostatinstalled on a reflective stand, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 36 illustrates a reflection diagram of signals received by aproximity sensor of an intelligent thermostat using a reflective stand,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 37 illustrates a flowchart of a method for replacing a programmerwith an intelligent thermostat system, according to some embodiments.

FIGS. 38A-38D illustrate examples of user interface displays that may bepresented to a user during the installation process, according to someembodiments.

FIGS. 39A-39B illustrate setpoint temperature schedules, according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 40 illustrates a flowchart of a method for compensating formovement of an intelligent thermostat, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 41 illustrates a flowchart of a method for selecting between andonboard antenna and an auxiliary antenna, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 42A illustrates a circuit diagram of a system for selecting betweenan auxiliary antenna and an onboard antenna, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 42B illustrates a circuit diagram of a system for selecting betweenan auxiliary antenna and an onboard antenna, according to someembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of this patent specification relates to the subjectmatter of the following commonly assigned applications, each of which isincorporated by reference herein: U.S. Ser. No. 13/269,501 (Ref. No.NES0120-US) filed Oct. 7, 2011; U.S. Ser. No. 13/632,112 (Ref. No.NES0157-US) filed Sep. 30, 2012; U.S. Ser. No. 13/632,112 (Ref. No.NES0157-US) filed Sep. 30, 2012; U.S. Ser. No. 13/632,041 (Ref. No.NES0162-US) filed Sep. 30, 2012; PCT Application No. PCT/US12/00007(Ref. No. NES0190-PCT), filed Jan. 3, 2012; U.S. Ser. No. 13/926,335(Ref. No. NES0230-US) filed Jun. 25, 2013); U.S. Ser. No. 13/624,811(Ref. No. NES0232-US) filed Sep. 21, 2012; U.S. Ser. No. 13/624,881(Ref. No. NES0233-US) filed Sep. 21, 2012; U.S. Ser. No. 13/632,070(Ref. No. NES0234-US) filed Sep. 30, 2012; U.S. Ser. No. 13/842,213(Ref. No. NES0253-US) filed Mar. 15, 2013; PCT Application No.PCT/US13/61021 (Ref. No. NES0254-PCT) filed Sep. 20, 2013; U.S. Ser. No.13/632,152 (Ref. No. NES0259-US) filed Sep. 30, 2012; U.S. Ser. No.13/926,312 (Ref. No. NES0310-US) filed Jun. 25, 2013; and U.S. Ser. No.13/926,302 (Ref. No. NES0351-US) filed Jun. 25, 2013. Theabove-referenced patent applications are collectively referenced hereinas “the commonly-assigned incorporated applications.”

In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation,numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the various embodiments of the present invention. Thoseof ordinary skill in the art will realize that these various embodimentsof the present invention are illustrative only and are not intended tobe limiting in any way. Other embodiments of the present invention willreadily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit ofthis disclosure. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that thepresent invention may be practiced without some or all of these specificdetails. In other instances, well known details have not been describedin detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

In addition, for clarity purposes, not all of the routine features ofthe embodiments described herein are shown or described. One of ordinaryskill in the art would readily appreciate that in the development of anysuch actual embodiment, numerous embodiment-specific decisions may berequired to achieve specific design objectives. These design objectiveswill vary from one embodiment to another and from one developer toanother. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effortmight be complex and time-consuming but would nevertheless be a routineengineering undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art havingthe benefit of this disclosure.

It is to be appreciated that while one or more embodiments are describedfurther herein in the context of typical HVAC system used in aresidential home, such as single-family residential home, the scope ofthe present teachings is not so limited. More generally, intelligentthermostat systems according to one or more of the embodiments areapplicable for a wide variety of enclosures having one or more HVACsystems including, without limitation, duplexes, townhomes, multi-unitapartment buildings, hotels, retail stores, office buildings, andindustrial buildings. Further, it is to be appreciated that while theterms user, customer, installer, homeowner, occupant, guest, tenant,landlord, repair person, and/or the like may be used to refer to theperson or persons who are interacting with the thermostat or otherdevice or user interface in the context of one or more scenariosdescribed herein, these references are by no means to be considered aslimiting the scope of the present teachings with respect to the personor persons who are performing such actions.

Provided according to one or more embodiments are methods and systemsfor setting up, pairing, controlling, and/or programming one or more ofintelligent, network-connected, intelligent thermostat systems. Theseintelligent thermostat systems may be configured and adapted to beimplemented in a smart home environment, seamlessly interacting withother devices in the smart home environment. The term “intelligentthermostat systems” is used herein to represent a particular combinationof devices that can be configured to control an HVAC system in anenclosure, e.g., a home, an office or another structure. However, thisintelligent thermostat systems may also be capable of controlling otherdevices, controlling non-HVAC systems and events (e.g., security relatedevents), and/or working in cooperation with other devices to provideadditional features to the smart home environment. Again, it is withinthe scope of the present teachings for embodiments of the intelligentthermostat systems of the present invention to detect measurablecharacteristics other than environmental conditions (e.g., pressure,flow rate, height, position, velocity, acceleration, capacity, power,loudness, and brightness) and monitor and/or respond to one or moremeasurable characteristics of one or more physical systems.

It is to be appreciated that “smart home environments” may refer tosmart environments for homes such as a single-family house, but thescope of the present teachings is not so limited, the present teachingsbeing likewise applicable, without limitation, to duplexes, townhomes,multi-unit apartment buildings, hotels, retail stores, office buildings,industrial buildings, and more generally any living space or work spacehaving one or more smart hazard detectors.

It is to be further appreciated that while the terms user, customer,installer, homeowner, occupant, guest, tenant, landlord, repair person,and the like may be used to refer to the person or persons who areinteracting with the smart hazard detector or user interface in thecontext of some particularly advantageous situations described herein,these references are by no means to be considered as limiting the scopeof the present teachings with respect to the person or persons who areperforming such actions. Thus, for example, the terms user, customer,purchaser, installer, subscriber, and homeowner may often refer to thesame person in the case of a single-family residential dwelling, becausethe head of the household is often the person who makes the purchasingdecision, buys the unit, and installs and configures the unit, and isalso one of the users of the unit. However, in other scenarios, such asa landlord-tenant environment, the customer may be the landlord withrespect to purchasing the unit, the installer may be a local apartmentsupervisor, a first user may be the tenant, and a second user may againbe the landlord with respect to remote control functionality.Importantly, while the identity of the person performing the action maybe germane to a particular advantage provided by one or more of theembodiments—for example, the password-protected hazard detectionfunctionality described further herein may be particularly advantageouswhere the landlord holds the sole password and can control hazarddetection via the hazard detection device—such identity should not beconstrued in the descriptions that follow as necessarily limiting thescope of the present teachings to those particular individuals havingthose particular identities.

The detailed description includes two subsections: (1) an overview ofsmart home device networks and capabilities, and (2) a detaileddescription of an intelligent thermostat system for controllingboiler-based heating systems. The first subsection provides adescription of the capabilities of the smart home devices. The secondsubsection provides a detailed description an intelligent thermostatsystem comprising a head unit, a backplate, and a base unit, along withmethods for installation, setup, and/or controlling a boiler-basedheater.

Smart Home Device Networks and Capabilities

Turning to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a smart-homeenvironment 100 within which one or more of the devices, methods,systems, services, and/or computer program products described furtherherein can be applicable. The depicted smart-home environment 100includes a structure 150, which can include, e.g., a house, officebuilding, garage, or mobile home. It will be appreciated that devicescan also be integrated into a smart-home environment 100 that does notinclude an entire structure 150, such as an apartment, condominium, oroffice space. Further, the smart home environment can control and/or becoupled to devices outside of the actual structure 150. Indeed, severaldevices in the smart home environment need not physically be within thestructure 150 at all. For example, a device controlling a pool heater orirrigation system can be located outside of the structure 150.

The depicted structure 150 includes a plurality of rooms 152, separatedat least partly from each other via walls 154. The walls 154 can includeinterior walls or exterior walls. Each room can further include a floor156 and a ceiling 158. Devices can be mounted on, integrated with and/orsupported by a wall 154, floor 156 or ceiling 158.

In some embodiments, the smart-home environment 100 of FIG. 1 includes aplurality of devices, including intelligent, multi-sensing,network-connected devices, that can integrate seamlessly with each otherand/or with a central server or a cloud-computing system to provide anyof a variety of useful smart-home objectives. The smart-home environment100 may include one or more intelligent, multi-sensing,network-connected thermostats 102 (hereinafter referred to as “smartthermostats 102”), one or more intelligent, network-connected,multi-sensing hazard detection units 104 (hereinafter referred to as“smart hazard detectors 104”), and one or more intelligent,multi-sensing, network-connected entryway interface devices 106(hereinafter referred to as “smart doorbells 106”). According toembodiments, the smart thermostat 102 detects ambient climatecharacteristics (e.g., temperature and/or humidity) and controls a HVACsystem 103 accordingly. The smart hazard detector 104 may detect thepresence of a hazardous substance or a substance indicative of ahazardous substance (e.g., smoke, fire, or carbon monoxide). The smartdoorbell 106 may detect a person's approach to or departure from alocation (e.g., an outer door), control doorbell functionality, announcea person's approach or departure via audio or visual means, or controlsettings on a security system (e.g., to activate or deactivate thesecurity system when occupants go and come).

In some embodiments, the smart-home environment 100 of FIG. 1 furtherincludes one or more intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected wallswitches 108 (hereinafter referred to as “smart wall switches 108”),along with one or more intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connectedwall plug interfaces 110 (hereinafter referred to as “smart wall plugs110”). The smart wall switches 108 may detect ambient lightingconditions, detect room-occupancy states, and control a power and/or dimstate of one or more lights. In some instances, smart wall switches 108may also control a power state or speed of a fan, such as a ceiling fan.The smart wall plugs 110 may detect occupancy of a room or enclosure andcontrol supply of power to one or more wall plugs (e.g., such that poweris not supplied to the plug if nobody is at home).

Still further, in some embodiments, the smart-home environment 100 ofFIG. 1 includes a plurality of intelligent, multi-sensing,network-connected appliances 112 (hereinafter referred to as “smartappliances 112”), such as refrigerators, stoves and/or ovens,televisions, washers, dryers, lights, stereos, intercom systems,garage-door openers, floor fans, ceiling fans, wall air conditioners,pool heaters, irrigation systems, security systems, and so forth.According to embodiments, the network-connected appliances 112 are madecompatible with the smart-home environment by cooperating with therespective manufacturers of the appliances. For example, the appliancescan be space heaters, window AC units, motorized duct vents, etc. Whenplugged in, an appliance can announce itself to the smart-home network,such as by indicating what type of appliance it is, and it canautomatically integrate with the controls of the smart-home. Suchcommunication by the appliance to the smart home can be facilitated byany wired or wireless communication protocols known by those havingordinary skill in the art. The smart home also can include a variety ofnon-communicating legacy appliances 140, such as old conventionalwasher/dryers, refrigerators, and the like which can be controlled,albeit coarsely (ON/OFF), by virtue of the smart wall plugs 110. Thesmart-home environment 100 can further include a variety of partiallycommunicating legacy appliances 142, such as infrared (“IR”) controlledwall air conditioners or other IR-controlled devices, which can becontrolled by IR signals provided by the smart hazard detectors 104 orthe smart wall switches 108.

According to embodiments, the smart thermostats 102, the smart hazarddetectors 104, the smart doorbells 106, the smart wall switches 108, thesmart wall plugs 110, and other devices of the smart-home environment100 are modular and can be incorporated into older and new houses. Forexample, the devices are designed around a modular platform consistingof two basic components: a head unit and a backplate, which is alsoreferred to as a docking station. Multiple configurations of the dockingstation are provided so as to be compatible with any home, such as olderand newer homes. However, all of the docking stations include a standardhead-connection arrangement, such that any head unit can be removablyattached to any docking station. Thus, in some embodiments, the dockingstations are interfaces that serve as physical connections to thestructure and the voltage wiring of the homes, and the interchangeablehead units contain all of the sensors, processors, user interfaces, thebatteries, and other functional components of the devices.

Many different commercial and functional possibilities for provisioning,maintenance, and upgrade are possible. For example, after years of usingany particular head unit, a user will be able to buy a new version ofthe head unit and simply plug it into the old docking station. There arealso many different versions for the head units, such as low-costversions with few features, and then a progression ofincreasingly-capable versions, up to and including extremely fancy headunits with a large number of features. Thus, it should be appreciatedthat the various versions of the head units can all be interchangeable,with any of them working when placed into any docking station. This canadvantageously encourage sharing and re-deployment of old head units—forexample, when an important high-capability head unit, such as a hazarddetector, is replaced by a new version of the head unit, then the oldhead unit can be re-deployed to a backroom or basement, etc. Accordingto embodiments, when first plugged into a docking station, the head unitcan ask the user (by 2D LCD display, 2D/3D holographic projection, voiceinteraction, etc.) a few simple questions such as, “Where am I” and theuser can indicate “living room”, “kitchen” and so forth.

The smart-home environment 100 may also include communication withdevices outside of the physical home but within a proximate geographicalrange of the home. For example, the smart-home environment 100 mayinclude a pool heater monitor 114 that communicates a current pooltemperature to other devices within the smart-home environment 100 orreceives commands for controlling the pool temperature. Similarly, thesmart-home environment 100 may include an irrigation monitor 116 thatcommunicates information regarding irrigation systems within thesmart-home environment 100 and/or receives control information forcontrolling such irrigation systems. According to embodiments, analgorithm is provided for considering the geographic location of thesmart-home environment 100, such as based on the zip code or geographiccoordinates of the home. The geographic information is then used toobtain data helpful for determining optimal times for watering, suchdata may include sun location information, temperature, due point, soiltype of the land on which the home is located, etc.

By virtue of network connectivity, one or more of the smart-home devicesof FIG. 1 can further allow a user to interact with the device even ifthe user is not proximate to the device. For example, a user cancommunicate with a device using a computer (e.g., a desktop computer,laptop computer, or tablet) or other portable electronic device (e.g., asmartphone) 166. A webpage or app can be configured to receivecommunications from the user and control the device based on thecommunications and/or to present information about the device'soperation to the user. For example, the user can view a current setpointtemperature for a device and adjust it using a computer. The user can bein the structure during this remote communication or outside thestructure.

As discussed, users can control the smart thermostat and other smartdevices in the smart-home environment 100 using a network-connectedcomputer or portable electronic device 166. In some examples, some orall of the occupants (e.g., individuals who live in the home) canregister their device 166 with the smart-home environment 100. Suchregistration can be made at a central server to authenticate theoccupant and/or the device as being associated with the home and to givepermission to the occupant to use the device to control the smartdevices in the home. An occupant can use their registered device 166 toremotely control the smart devices of the home, such as when theoccupant is at work or on vacation. The occupant may also use theirregistered device to control the smart devices when the occupant isactually located inside the home, such as when the occupant is sittingon a couch inside the home. It should be appreciated that instead of orin addition to registering devices 166, the smart-home environment 100makes inferences about which individuals live in the home and aretherefore occupants and which devices 166 are associated with thoseindividuals. As such, the smart-home environment “learns” who is anoccupant and permits the devices 166 associated with those individualsto control the smart devices of the home.

In some instances, guests desire to control the smart devices. Forexample, the smart-home environment may receive communication from anunregistered mobile device of an individual inside of the home, wheresaid individual is not recognized as an occupant of the home. Further,for example, a smart-home environment may receive communication from amobile device of an individual who is known to be or who is registeredas a guest.

According to embodiments, a guest-layer of controls can be provided toguests of the smart-home environment 100. The guest-layer of controlsgives guests access to basic controls (e.g., a judicially selectedsubset of features of the smart devices), such as temperatureadjustments, but it locks out other functionalities. The guest layer ofcontrols can be thought of as a “safe sandbox” in which guests havelimited controls, but they do not have access to more advanced controlsthat could fundamentally alter, undermine, damage, or otherwise impairthe occupant-desired operation of the smart devices. For example, theguest layer of controls will not permit the guest to adjust theheat-pump lockout temperature.

A use case example of this is when a guest is in a smart home, the guestcould walk up to the thermostat and turn the dial manually, but theguest may not want to walk around the house “hunting” the thermostat,especially at night while the home is dark and others are sleeping.Further, the guest may not want to go through the hassle of downloadingthe necessary application to their device for remotely controlling thethermostat. In fact, the guest may not have the home owner's logincredentials, etc., and therefore cannot remotely control the thermostatvia such an application. Accordingly, according to embodiments of theinvention, the guest can open a mobile browser on their mobile device,type a keyword, such as “NEST” into the URL field and tap “Go” or“Search”, etc. In response, the device presents the guest with a userinterface, which allows the guest to move the target temperature betweena limited range, such as 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. As discussed, theuser interface provides a guest layer of controls that are limited tobasic functions. The guest cannot change the target humidity, modes, orview energy history.

According to embodiments, to enable guests to access the user interfacethat provides the guest layer of controls, a local webserver is providedthat is accessible in the local area network (LAN). It does not requirea password, because physical presence inside the home is establishedreliably enough by the guest's presence on the LAN. In some embodiments,during installation of the smart device, such as the smart thermostat,the home owner is asked if they want to enable a Local Web App (LWA) onthe smart device. Business owners will likely say no; home owners willlikely say yes. When the LWA option is selected, the smart devicebroadcasts to the LAN that the above referenced keyword, such as “NEST”,is now a host alias for its local web server. Thus, no matter whose homea guest goes to, that same keyword (e.g., “NEST”) is always the URL youuse to access the LWA, provided the smart device is purchased from thesame manufacturer. Further, according to embodiments, if there is morethan one smart device on the LAN, the second and subsequent smartdevices do not offer to set up another LWA. Instead, they registerthemselves as target candidates with the master LWA. And in this casethe LWA user would be asked which smart device they want to change thetemperature on before getting the simplified user interface for theparticular smart device they choose.

According to embodiments, a guest layer of controls may also be providedto users by means other than a device 166. For example, the smartdevice, such as the smart thermostat, may be equipped withwalkup-identification technology (e.g., face recognition, RFID,ultrasonic sensors) that “fingerprints” or creates a “signature” for theoccupants of the home. The walkup-identification technology can be thesame as or similar to the fingerprinting and signature creatingtechniques descripted in other sections of this application. Inoperation, when a person who does not live in the home or is otherwisenot registered with the smart home or whose fingerprint or signature isnot recognized by the smart home “walks up” to a smart device, the smartdevice provides the guest with the guest layer of controls, rather thanfull controls.

As described below, the smart thermostat and other smart devices “learn”by observing occupant behavior. For example, the smart thermostat learnsoccupants' preferred temperature set-points for mornings and evenings,and it learns when the occupants are asleep or awake, as well as whenthe occupants are typically away or at home, for example. According toembodiments, when a guest controls the smart devices, such as the smartthermostat, the smart devices do not “learn” from the guest. Thisprevents the guest's adjustments and controls from affecting the learnedpreferences of the occupants.

According to some embodiments, a smart television remote control isprovided. The smart remote control recognizes occupants by thumbprint,visual identification, RFID, etc., and it recognizes a user as a guestor as someone belonging to a particular class having limited control andaccess (e.g., child). Upon recognizing the user as a guest or someonebelonging to a limited class, the smart remote control only permits thatuser to view a subset of channels and to make limited adjustments to thesettings of the television and other devices. For example, a guestcannot adjust the digital video recorder (DVR) settings, and a child islimited to viewing child-appropriate programming.

According to some embodiments, similar controls are provided for otherinstruments, utilities, and devices in the house. For example, sinks,bathtubs, and showers can be controlled by smart spigots that recognizeusers as guests or as children and therefore prevent water fromexceeding a designated temperature that is considered safe.

In some embodiments, in addition to containing processing and sensingcapabilities, each of the devices 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, and116 (collectively referred to as “the smart devices”) is capable of datacommunications and information sharing with any other of the smartdevices, as well as to any central server or cloud-computing system orany other device that is network-connected anywhere in the world. Therequired data communications can be carried out using any of a varietyof custom or standard wireless protocols (Wi-Fi, ZigBee, 6LoWPAN, etc.)and/or any of a variety of custom or standard wired protocols (CAT6Ethernet, HomePlug, etc.)

According to embodiments, all or some of the smart devices can serve aswireless or wired repeaters. For example, a first one of the smartdevices can communicate with a second one of the smart device via awireless router 160. The smart devices can further communicate with eachother via a connection to a network, such as the Internet 162. Throughthe Internet 162, the smart devices can communicate with a centralserver or a cloud-computing system 164. The central server orcloud-computing system 164 can be associated with a manufacturer,support entity, or service provider associated with the device. For oneembodiment, a user may be able to contact customer support using adevice itself rather than needing to use other communication means suchas a telephone or Internet-connected computer. Further, software updatescan be automatically sent from the central server or cloud-computingsystem 164 to devices (e.g., when available, when purchased, or atroutine intervals).

According to embodiments, the smart devices combine to create a meshnetwork of spokesman and low-power nodes in the smart-home environment100, where some of the smart devices are “spokesman” nodes and othersare “low-powered” nodes. Some of the smart devices in the smart-homeenvironment 100 are battery powered, while others have a regular andreliable power source, such as by connecting to wiring (e.g., to 120Vline voltage wires) behind the walls 154 of the smart-home environment.The smart devices that have a regular and reliable power source arereferred to as “spokesman” nodes. These nodes are equipped with thecapability of using any wireless protocol or manner to facilitatebidirectional communication with any of a variety of other devices inthe smart-home environment 100 as well as with the central server orcloud-computing system 164. On the other hand, the devices that arebattery powered are referred to as “low-power” nodes. These nodes tendto be smaller than spokesman nodes and can only communicate usingwireless protocols that requires very little power, such as Zigbee,6LoWPAN, etc. Further, some, but not all, low-power nodes are incapableof bidirectional communication. These low-power nodes send messages, butthey are unable to “listen”. Thus, other devices in the smart-homeenvironment 100, such as the spokesman nodes, cannot send information tothese low-power nodes.

As described, the smart devices serve as low-power and spokesman nodesto create a mesh network in the smart-home environment 100. Individuallow-power nodes in the smart-home environment regularly send outmessages regarding what they are sensing, and the other low-powerednodes in the smart-home environment—in addition to sending out their ownmessages—repeat the messages, thereby causing the messages to travelfrom node to node (i.e., device to device) throughout the smart-homeenvironment 100. The spokesman nodes in the smart-home environment 100are able to “drop down” to low-powered communication protocols toreceive these messages, translate the messages to other communicationprotocols, and send the translated messages to other spokesman nodesand/or the central server or cloud-computing system 164. Thus, thelow-powered nodes using low-power communication protocols are able sendmessages across the entire smart-home environment 100 as well as overthe Internet 162 to the central server or cloud-computing system 164.According to embodiments, the mesh network enables the central server orcloud-computing system 164 regularly receive data from all of the smartdevices in the home, make inferences based on the data, and sendcommands back to one of the smart devices to accomplish some of thesmart-home objectives descried herein.

As described, the spokesman nodes and some of the low-powered nodes arecapable of “listening”. Accordingly, users, other devices, and thecentral server or cloud-computing system 164 can communicate controls tothe low-powered nodes. For example, a user can use the portableelectronic device (e.g., a smartphone) 166 to send commands over theInternet to the central server or cloud-computing system 164, which thenrelays the commands to the spokesman nodes in the smart-home environment100. The spokesman nodes drop down to a low-power protocol tocommunicate the commands to the low-power nodes throughout thesmart-home environment, as well as to other spokesman nodes that did notreceive the commands directly from the central server or cloud-computingsystem 164.

An example of a low-power node is a smart nightlight 170. In addition tohousing a light source, the smart nightlight 170 houses an occupancysensor, such as an ultrasonic or passive IR sensor, and an ambient lightsensor, such as a photo resistor or a single-pixel sensor that measureslight in the room. In some embodiments, the smart nightlight 170 isconfigured to activate the light source when its ambient light sensordetects that the room is dark and when its occupancy sensor detects thatsomeone is in the room. In other embodiments, the smart nightlight 170is simply configured to activate the light source when its ambient lightsensor detects that the room is dark. Further, according to embodiments,the smart nightlight 170 includes a low-power wireless communicationchip (e.g., ZigBee chip) that regularly sends out messages regarding theoccupancy of the room and the amount of light in the room, includinginstantaneous messages coincident with the occupancy sensor detectingthe presence of a person in the room. As mentioned above, these messagesmay be sent wirelessly, using the mesh network, from node to node (i.e.,smart device to smart device) within the smart-home environment 100 aswell as over the Internet 162 to the central server or cloud-computingsystem 164.

Other examples of low-powered nodes include battery-operated versions ofthe smart hazard detectors 104. These smart hazard detectors 104 areoften located in an area without access to constant and reliable powerand, as discussed in detail below, may include any number and type ofsensors, such as smoke/fire/heat sensors, carbon monoxide/dioxidesensors, occupancy/motion sensors, ambient light sensors, temperaturesensors, humidity sensors, and the like. Furthermore, smart hazarddetectors 104 can send messages that correspond to each of therespective sensors to the other devices and the central server orcloud-computing system 164, such as by using the mesh network asdescribed above.

Examples of spokesman nodes include smart doorbells 106, smartthermostats 102, smart wall switches 108, and smart wall plugs 110.These devices 102, 106, 108, and 110 are often located near andconnected to a reliable power source, and therefore can include morepower-consuming components, such as one or more communication chipscapable of bidirectional communication in any variety of protocols.

In some embodiments, these low-powered and spokesman nodes (e.g.,devices 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, and 170) can function as“tripwires” for an alarm system in the smart-home environment. Forexample, in the event a perpetrator circumvents detection by alarmsensors located at windows, doors, and other entry points of thesmart-home environment 100, the alarm could be triggered upon receivingan occupancy, motion, heat, sound, etc. message from one or more of thelow-powered and spokesman nodes in the mesh network. For example, uponreceiving a message from a smart nightlight 170 indicating the presenceof a person, the central server or cloud-computing system 164 or someother device could trigger an alarm, provided the alarm is armed at thetime of detection. Thus, the alarm system could be enhanced by variouslow-powered and spokesman nodes located throughout the smart-homeenvironment 100. In this example, a user could enhance the security ofthe smart-home environment 100 by buying and installing extra smartnightlights 170.

In some embodiments, the mesh network can be used to automatically turnon and off lights as a person transitions from room to room. Forexample, the low-powered and spokesman nodes (e.g., devices 102, 104,106, 108, 110, 112, and 170) detect the person's movement through thesmart-home environment and communicate corresponding messages throughthe mesh network. Using the messages that indicate which rooms areoccupied, the central server or cloud-computing system 164 or some otherdevice activates and deactivates the smart wall switches 108 toautomatically provide light as the person moves from room to room in thesmart-home environment 100. Further, users may provide pre-configurationinformation that indicates which smart wall plugs 110 provide power tolamps and other light sources, such as the smart nightlight 170.Alternatively, this mapping of light sources to wall plugs 110 can bedone automatically (e.g., the smart wall plugs 110 detect when a lightsource is plugged into it, and it sends a corresponding message to thecentral server or cloud-computing system 164). Using this mappinginformation in combination with messages that indicate which rooms areoccupied, the central server or cloud-computing system 164 or some otherdevice activates and deactivates the smart wall plugs 110 that providepower to lamps and other light sources so as to track the person'smovement and provide light as the person moves from room to room.

In some embodiments, the mesh network of low-powered and spokesman nodescan be used to provide exit lighting in the event of an emergency. Insome instances, to facilitate this, users provide pre-configurationinformation that indicates exit routes in the smart-home environment100. For example, for each room in the house, the user provides a map ofthe best exit route. It should be appreciated that instead of a userproviding this information, the central server or cloud-computing system164 or some other device could automatically determine the routes usinguploaded maps, diagrams, architectural drawings of the smart-home house,as well as using a map generated based on positional informationobtained from the nodes of the mesh network (e.g., positionalinformation from the devices is used to construct a map of the house).In operation, when an alarm is activated (e.g., when one or more of thesmart hazard detector 104 detects smoke and activates an alarm), thecentral server or cloud-computing system 164 or some other device usesoccupancy information obtained from the low-powered and spokesman nodesto determine which rooms are occupied and then turns on lights (e.g.,nightlights 170, wall switches 108, wall plugs 110 that power lamps,etc.) along the exit routes from the occupied rooms so as to provideemergency exit lighting.

Further included and illustrated in the exemplary smart-home environment100 of FIG. 1 are service robots 162 each configured to carry out, in anautonomous manner, any of a variety of household tasks. For someembodiments, the service robots 162 can be respectively configured toperform floor sweeping, floor washing, etc. in a manner similar to thatof known commercially available devices such as the ROOMBA™ and SCOOBA™products sold by iRobot, Inc. of Bedford, Mass. Tasks such as floorsweeping and floor washing can be considered as “away” or “while-away”tasks for purposes of the instant description, as it is generally moredesirable for these tasks to be performed when the occupants are notpresent. For other embodiments, one or more of the service robots 162are configured to perform tasks such as playing music for an occupant,serving as a localized thermostat for an occupant, serving as alocalized air monitor/purifier for an occupant, serving as a localizedbaby monitor, serving as a localized hazard detector for an occupant,and so forth, it being generally more desirable for such tasks to becarried out in the immediate presence of the human occupant. Forpurposes of the instant description, such tasks can be considered as“human-facing” or “human-centric” tasks.

When serving as a localized thermostat for an occupant, a particular oneof the service robots 162 can be considered to be facilitating what canbe called a “personal comfort-area network” for the occupant, with theobjective being to keep the occupant's immediate space at a comfortabletemperature wherever that occupant may be located in the home. This canbe contrasted with conventional wall-mounted room thermostats, whichhave the more attenuated objective of keeping a statically-definedstructural space at a comfortable temperature. According to oneembodiment, the localized-thermostat service robot 162 is configured tomove itself into the immediate presence (e.g., within five feet) of aparticular occupant who has settled into a particular location in thehome (e.g. in the dining room to eat their breakfast and read the news).The localized-thermostat service robot 162 includes a temperaturesensor, a processor, and wireless communication components configuredsuch that control communications with the HVAC system, either directlyor through a wall-mounted wirelessly communicating thermostat coupled tothe HVAC system, are maintained and such that the temperature in theimmediate vicinity of the occupant is maintained at their desired level.If the occupant then moves and settles into another location (e.g. tothe living room couch to watch television), the localized-thermostatservice robot 162 proceeds to move and park itself next to the couch andkeep that particular immediate space at a comfortable temperature.

Technologies by which the localized-thermostat service robot 162 (and/orthe larger smart-home system of FIG. 1) can identify and locate theoccupant whose personal-area space is to be kept at a comfortabletemperature can include, but are not limited to, RFID sensing (e.g.,person having an RFID bracelet, RFID necklace, or RFID key fob),synthetic vision techniques (e.g., video cameras and face recognitionprocessors), audio techniques (e.g., voice, sound pattern, vibrationpattern recognition), ultrasound sensing/imaging techniques, andinfrared or near-field communication (NFC) techniques (e.g., personwearing an infrared or NFC-capable smartphone), along with rules-basedinference engines or artificial intelligence techniques that draw usefulconclusions from the sensed information (e.g., if there is only a singleoccupant present in the home, then that is the person whose immediatespace should be kept at a comfortable temperature, and the selection ofthe desired comfortable temperature should correspond to that occupant'sparticular stored profile).

When serving as a localized air monitor/purifier for an occupant, aparticular service robot 162 can be considered to be facilitating whatcan be called a “personal health-area network” for the occupant, withthe objective being to keep the air quality in the occupant's immediatespace at healthy levels. Alternatively or in conjunction therewith,other health-related functions can be provided, such as monitoring thetemperature or heart rate of the occupant (e.g., using finely remotesensors, near-field communication with on-person monitors, etc.). Whenserving as a localized hazard detector for an occupant, a particularservice robot 162 can be considered to be facilitating what can becalled a “personal safety-area network” for the occupant, with theobjective being to ensure there is no excessive carbon monoxide, smoke,fire, etc., in the immediate space of the occupant. Methods analogous tothose described above for personal comfort-area networks in terms ofoccupant identifying and tracking are likewise applicable for personalhealth-area network and personal safety-area network embodiments.

According to some embodiments, the above-referenced facilitation ofpersonal comfort-area networks, personal health-area networks, personalsafety-area networks, and/or other such human-facing functionalities ofthe service robots 162, are further enhanced by logical integration withother smart sensors in the home according to rules-based inferencingtechniques or artificial intelligence techniques for achieving betterperformance of those human-facing functionalities and/or for achievingthose goals in energy-conserving or other resource-conserving ways.Thus, for one embodiment relating to personal health-area networks, theair monitor/purifier service robot 162 can be configured to detectwhether a household pet is moving toward the currently settled locationof the occupant (e.g., using onboard sensors and/or by datacommunications with other smart-home sensors along with rules-basedinferencing/artificial intelligence techniques), and if so, the airpurifying rate is immediately increased in preparation for the arrivalof more airborne pet dander. For another embodiment relating to personalsafety-area networks, the hazard detector service robot 162 can beadvised by other smart-home sensors that the temperature and humiditylevels are rising in the kitchen, which is nearby to the occupant'scurrent dining room location, and responsive to this advisory the hazarddetector service robot 162 will temporarily raise a hazard detectionthreshold, such as a smoke detection threshold, under an inference thatany small increases in ambient smoke levels will most likely be due tocooking activity and not due to a genuinely hazardous condition.

The above-described “human-facing” and “away” functionalities can beprovided, without limitation, by multiple distinct service robots 162having respective dedicated ones of such functionalities, by a singleservice robot 162 having an integration of two or more different ones ofsuch functionalities, and/or any combinations thereof (including theability for a single service robot 162 to have both “away” and “humanfacing” functionalities) without departing from the scope of the presentteachings. Electrical power can be provided by virtue of rechargeablebatteries or other rechargeable methods, with FIG. 1 illustrating anexemplary out-of-the-way docking station 164 to which the service robots162 will automatically dock and recharge its batteries (if needed)during periods of inactivity. Preferably, each service robot 162includes wireless communication components that facilitate datacommunications with one or more of the other wirelessly communicatingsmart-home sensors of FIG. 1 and/or with one or more other servicerobots 162 (e.g., using Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Z-Wave, 6LoWPAN, etc.), and oneor more of the smart-home devices of FIG. 1 can be in communication witha remote server over the Internet. Alternatively or in conjunctiontherewith, each service robot 162 can be configured to communicatedirectly with a remote server by virtue of cellular telephonecommunications, satellite communications, 3G/4G network datacommunications, or other direct communication method.

Provided according to some embodiments are systems and methods relatingto the integration of the service robot(s) 162 with home securitysensors and related functionalities of the smart home system. Theembodiments are particularly applicable and advantageous when appliedfor those service robots 162 that perform “away” functionalities or thatotherwise are desirable to be active when the home is unoccupied(hereinafter “away-service robots”). Included in the embodiments aremethods and systems for ensuring that home security systems, intrusiondetection systems, and/or occupancy-sensitive environmental controlsystems (for example, occupancy-sensitive automated setback thermostatsthat enter into a lower-energy-using condition when the home isunoccupied) are not erroneously triggered by the away-service robots.

Provided according to one embodiment is a home automation and securitysystem (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1) that is remotely monitored by amonitoring service by virtue of automated systems (e.g., cloud-basedservers or other central servers, hereinafter “central server”) that arein data communications with one or more network-connected elements ofthe home automation and security system. The away-service robots areconfigured to be in operative data communication with the centralserver, and are configured such that they remain in a non-away-servicestate (e.g., a dormant state at their docking station) unless permissionis granted from the central server (e.g., by virtue of an“away-service-OK” message from the central server) to commence theiraway-service activities. An away-state determination made by the system,which can be arrived at (i) exclusively by local on-premises smartdevice(s) based on occupancy sensor data, (ii) exclusively by thecentral server based on received occupancy sensor data and/or based onreceived proximity-related information such as GPS coordinates from usersmartphones or automobiles, or (iii) any combination of (i) and (ii) canthen trigger the granting of away-service permission to the away-servicerobots by the central server. During the course of the away-servicerobot activity, during which the away-service robots may continuouslydetect and send their in-home location coordinates to the centralserver, the central server can readily filter signals from the occupancysensing devices to distinguish between the away-service robot activityversus any unexpected intrusion activity, thereby avoiding a falseintrusion alarm condition while also ensuring that the home is secure.Alternatively or in conjunction therewith, the central server mayprovide filtering data (such as an expected occupancy-sensing profiletriggered by the away-service robots) to the occupancy sensing nodes orassociated processing nodes of the smart home, such that the filteringis performed at the local level. Although somewhat less secure, it wouldalso be within the scope of the present teachings for the central serverto temporarily disable the occupancy sensing equipment for the durationof the away-service robot activity.

According to another embodiment, functionality similar to that of thecentral server in the above example can be performed by an on-sitecomputing device such as a dedicated server computer, a “master” homeautomation console or panel, or as an adjunct function of one or more ofthe smart-home devices of FIG. 1. In such an embodiment, there would beno dependency on a remote service provider to provide the“away-service-OK” permission to the away-service robots and thefalse-alarm-avoidance filtering service or filter information for thesensed intrusion detection signals.

According to other embodiments, there are provided methods and systemsfor implementing away-service robot functionality while avoiding falsehome security alarms and false occupancy-sensitive environmentalcontrols without the requirement of a single overall event orchestrator.For purposes of the simplicity in the present disclosure, the homesecurity systems and/or occupancy-sensitive environmental controls thatwould be triggered by the motion, noise, vibrations, or otherdisturbances of the away-service robot activity are referenced simply as“activity sensing systems,” and when so triggered will yield a“disturbance-detected” outcome representative of the false trigger (forexample, an alarm message to a security service, or an “arrival”determination for an automated setback thermostat that causes the hometo be heated or cooled to a more comfortable “occupied” setpointtemperature). According to one embodiment, the away-service robots areconfigured to emit a standard ultrasonic sound throughout the course oftheir away-service activity, the activity sensing systems are configuredto detect that standard ultrasonic sound, and the activity sensingsystems are further configured such that no disturbance-detected outcomewill occur for as long as that standard ultrasonic sound is detected.For other embodiments, the away-service robots are configured to emit astandard notification signal throughout the course of their away-serviceactivity, the activity sensing systems are configured to detect thatstandard notification signal, and the activity sensing systems arefurther configured such that no disturbance-detected outcome will occurfor as long as that standard notification signal is detected, where thestandard notification signal comprises one or more of: an opticalnotifying signal; an audible notifying signal; an infrared notifyingsignal; an infrasonic notifying signal; a wirelessly transmitted datanotification signal (e.g., an IP broadcast, multicast, or unicastnotification signal, or a notification message sent in an TCP/IP two-waycommunication session).

According to some embodiments, the notification signals sent by theaway-service robots to the activity sensing systems are authenticatedand encrypted such that the notifications cannot be learned andreplicated by a potential burglar. Any of a variety of knownencryption/authentication schemes can be used to ensure such datasecurity including, but not limited to, methods involving third partydata security services or certificate authorities. For some embodiments,a permission request-response model can be used, where any particularaway-service robot requests permission from each activity sensing systemin the home when it is ready to perform its away-service tasks, and doesnot initiate such activity until receiving a “yes” or “permissiongranted” message from each activity sensing system (or from a singleactivity sensing system serving as a “spokesman” for all of the activitysensing systems). One advantage of the described embodiments that do notrequire a central event orchestrator is that there can (optionally) bemore of an arms-length relationship between the supplier(s) of the homesecurity/environmental control equipment, on the one hand, and thesupplier(s) of the away-service robot(s), on the other hand, as it isonly required that there is the described standard one-way notificationprotocol or the described standard two-way request/permission protocolto be agreed upon by the respective suppliers.

According to still other embodiments, the activity sensing systems areconfigured to detect sounds, vibrations, RF emissions, or otherdetectable environmental signals or “signatures” that are intrinsicallyassociated with the away-service activity of each away-service robot,and are further configured such that no disturbance-detected outcomewill occur for as long as that particular detectable signal orenvironmental “signature” is detected. By way of example, a particularkind of vacuum-cleaning away-service robot may emit a specific sound orRF signature. For one embodiment, the away-service environmentalsignatures for each of a plurality of known away-service robots arestored in the memory of the activity sensing systems based onempirically collected data, the environmental signatures being suppliedwith the activity sensing systems and periodically updated by a remoteupdate server. For another embodiment, the activity sensing systems canbe placed into a “training mode” for the particular home in which theyare installed, wherein they “listen” and “learn” the particularenvironmental signatures of the away-service robots for that home duringthat training session, and thereafter will suppress disturbance-detectedoutcomes for intervals in which those environmental signatures areheard.

For still another embodiment, which is particularly useful when theactivity sensing system is associated with occupancy-sensitiveenvironmental control equipment rather than a home security system, theactivity sensing system is configured to automatically learn theenvironmental signatures for the away-service robots by virtue ofautomatically performing correlations over time between detectedenvironmental signatures and detected occupancy activity. By way ofexample, for one embodiment an intelligent automatednonoccupancy-triggered setback thermostat such as the Nest LearningThermostat can be configured to constantly monitor for audible and RFactivity as well as to perform infrared-based occupancy detection. Inparticular view of the fact that the environmental signature of theaway-service robot will remain relatively constant from event to event,and in view of the fact that the away-service events will likely either(a) themselves be triggered by some sort of nonoccupancy condition asmeasured by the away-service robots themselves, or (b) occur at regulartimes of day, there will be patterns in the collected data by which theevents themselves will become apparent and for which the environmentalsignatures can be readily learned. Generally speaking, for thisautomatic-learning embodiment in which the environmental signatures ofthe away-service robots are automatically learned without requiring userinteraction, it is more preferable that a certain number of falsetriggers be tolerable over the course of the learning process.Accordingly, this automatic-learning embodiment is more preferable forapplication in occupancy-sensitive environmental control equipment (suchas an automated setback thermostat) rather than home security systemsfor the reason that a few false occupancy determinations may cause a fewinstances of unnecessary heating or cooling, but will not otherwise haveany serious consequences, whereas false home security alarms may havemore serious consequences.

According to embodiments, technologies including the sensors of thesmart devices located in the mesh network of the smart-home environmentin combination with rules-based inference engines or artificialintelligence provided at the central server or cloud-computing system164 are used to provide a personal “smart alarm clock” for individualoccupants of the home. For example, user-occupants can communicate withthe central server or cloud-computing system 164 via their mobiledevices 166 to access an interface for the smart alarm clock. There,occupants can turn on their “smart alarm clock” and input a wake timefor the next day and/or for additional days. In some embodiments, theoccupant may have the option of setting a specific wake time for eachday of the week, as well as the option of setting some or all of theinputted wake times to “repeat”. Artificial intelligence will be used toconsider the occupant's response to these alarms when they go off andmake inferences about the user's preferred sleep patterns over time.

According to embodiments, the smart device in the smart-home environment100 that happens to be closest to the occupant when the occupant fallsasleep will be the device that transmits messages regarding when theoccupant stopped moving, from which the central server orcloud-computing system 164 will make inferences about where and when theoccupant prefers to sleep. This closest smart device will as be thedevice that sounds the alarm to wake the occupant. In this manner, the“smart alarm clock” will follow the occupant throughout the house, bytracking the individual occupants based on their “unique signature”,which is determined based on data obtained from sensors located in thesmart devices. For example, the sensors include ultrasonic sensors,passive IR sensors, and the like. The unique signature is based on acombination of walking gate, patterns of movement, voice, height, size,etc. It should be appreciated that facial recognition may also be used.

According to an embodiment, the wake times associated with the “smartalarm clock” are used by the smart thermostat 102 to control the HVAC inan efficient manner so as to pre-heat or cool the house to theoccupant's desired “sleeping” and “awake” temperature settings. Thepreferred settings can be learned over time, such as by observing whichtemperature the occupant sets the thermostat to before going to sleepand which temperature the occupant sets the thermostat to upon wakingup.

According to an embodiment, a device is positioned proximate to theoccupant's bed, such as on an adjacent nightstand, and collects data asthe occupant sleeps using noise sensors, motion sensors (e.g.,ultrasonic, IR, and optical), etc. Data may be obtained by the othersmart devices in the room as well. Such data may include the occupant'sbreathing patterns, heart rate, movement, etc. Inferences are made basedon this data in combination with data that indicates when the occupantactually wakes up. For example, if—on a regular basis—the occupant'sheart rate, breathing, and moving all increase by 5% to 10%, twenty tothirty minutes before the occupant wakes up each morning, thenpredictions can be made regarding when the occupant is going to wake.Other devices in the home can use these predictions to provide othersmart-home objectives, such as adjusting the smart thermostat 102 so asto pre-heat or cool the home to the occupant's desired setting beforethe occupant wakes up. Further, these predictions can be used to set the“smart alarm clock” for the occupant, to turn on lights, etc.

According to embodiments, technologies including the sensors of thesmart devices located throughout the smart-home environment incombination with rules-based inference engines or artificialintelligence provided at the central server or cloud-computing system164 are used to detect or monitor the progress of Alzheimer's Disease.For example, the unique signatures of the occupants are used to trackthe individual occupants' movement throughout the smart-home environment100. This data can be aggregated and analyzed to identify patternsindicative of Alzheimer's. Oftentimes, individuals with Alzheimer's havedistinctive patterns of migration in their homes. For example, a personwill walk to the kitchen and stand there for a while, then to the livingroom and stand there for a while, and then back to the kitchen. Thispattern will take about thirty minutes, and then the person will repeatthe pattern. According to embodiments, the remote servers or cloudcomputing architectures 164 analyze the person's migration datacollected by the mesh network of the smart-home environment to identifysuch patterns.

FIG. 2 illustrates a network-level view of an extensible devices andservices platform 200 with which a plurality of smart-home environments,such as the smart-home environment 100 of FIG. 1, can be integrated. Theextensible devices and services platform 200 includes remote servers orcloud computing architectures 164. Each of the intelligent,network-connected devices 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, and 116from FIG. 1 (identified simply as “smart devices” in FIGS. 2-3 herein)can communicate with the remote servers or cloud computing architectures164. For example, a connection to the Internet 162 can be establishedeither directly (for example, using 3G/4G connectivity to a wirelesscarrier), through a hubbed network 212 (which can be a scheme rangingfrom a simple wireless router, for example, up to and including anintelligent, dedicated whole-home control node), or through anycombination thereof.

Although in some examples provided herein, the devices and servicesplatform 200 communicates with and collects data from the smart devicesof smart-home environment 100 of FIG. 1, it should be appreciated thatthe devices and services platform 200 communicates with and collectsdata from a plurality of smart-home environments across the world. Forexample, the central server or cloud-computing system 164 can collecthome data 202 from the devices of one or more smart-home environments,where the devices can routinely transmit home data or can transmit homedata in specific instances (e.g., when a device queries the home data202). Thus, the devices and services platform 200 routinely collectsdata from homes across the world. As described, the collected home data202 includes, for example, power consumption data, occupancy data, HVACsettings and usage data, carbon monoxide levels data, carbon dioxidelevels data, volatile organic compounds levels data, sleeping scheduledata, cooking schedule data, inside and outside temperature humiditydata, television viewership data, inside and outside noise level data,etc.

The central server or cloud-computing architecture 164 can furtherprovide one or more services 204. The services 204 can include, e.g.,software updates, customer support, sensor data collection/logging,remote access, remote or distributed control, or use suggestions (e.g.,based on collected home data 202 to improve performance, reduce utilitycost, etc.). Data associated with the services 204 can be stored at thecentral server or cloud-computing system 164 and the central server orthe cloud-computing system 164 can retrieve and transmit the data at anappropriate time (e.g., at regular intervals, upon receiving a requestfrom a user, etc.).

As illustrated in FIG. 2, an embodiment of the extensible devices andservices platform 200 includes a processing engine 206, which can beconcentrated at a single server or distributed among several differentcomputing entities without limitation. The processing engine 206 caninclude engines configured to receive data from devices of smart-homeenvironments (e.g., via the Internet or a hubbed network), to index thedata, to analyze the data and/or to generate statistics based on theanalysis or as part of the analysis. The analyzed data can be stored asderived home data 208.

Results of the analysis or statistics can thereafter be transmitted backto the device that provided home data used to derive the results, toother devices, to a server providing a webpage to a user of the device,or to other non-device entities. For example, use statistics, usestatistics relative to use of other devices, use patterns, and/orstatistics summarizing sensor readings can be generated by theprocessing engine 206 and transmitted. The results or statistics can beprovided via the Internet 162. In this manner, the processing engine 206can be configured and programmed to derive a variety of usefulinformation from the home data 202. A single server can include one ormore engines.

The derived data can be highly beneficial at a variety of differentgranularities for a variety of useful purposes, ranging from explicitprogrammed control of the devices on a per-home, per-neighborhood, orper-region basis (for example, demand-response programs for electricalutilities), to the generation of inferential abstractions that canassist on a per-home basis (for example, an inference can be drawn thatthe homeowner has left for vacation and so security detection equipmentcan be put on heightened sensitivity), to the generation of statisticsand associated inferential abstractions that can be used for governmentor charitable purposes. For example, processing engine 206 can generatestatistics about device usage across a population of devices and sendthe statistics to device users, service providers or other entities(e.g., that have requested or may have provided monetary compensationfor the statistics).

According to some embodiments, the home data 202, the derived home data208, and/or another data can be used to create “automated neighborhoodsafety networks.” For example, in the event the central server orcloud-computing architecture 164 receives data indicating that aparticular home has been broken into, is experiencing a fire, or someother type of emergency event, an alarm is sent to other smart homes inthe “neighborhood.” In some instances, the central server orcloud-computing architecture 164 automatically identifies smart homeswithin a radius of the home experiencing the emergency and sends analarm to the identified homes. In such instances, the other homes in the“neighborhood” do not have to sign up for or register to be a part of asafety network, but instead are notified of an emergency based on theirproximity to the location of the emergency. This creates robust andevolving neighborhood security watch networks, such that if one person'shome is getting broken into, an alarm can be sent to nearby homes, suchas by audio announcements via the smart devices located in those homes.It should be appreciated that this can be an opt-in service and that, inaddition to or instead of the central server or cloud-computingarchitecture 164 selecting which homes to send alerts to, individualscan subscribe to participate in such networks and individuals canspecify which homes they want to receive alerts from. This can include,for example, the homes of family members who live in different cities,such that individuals can receive alerts when their loved ones in otherlocations are experiencing an emergency.

According to some embodiments, sound, vibration, and/or motion sensingcomponents of the smart devices are used to detect sound, vibration,and/or motion created by running water. Based on the detected sound,vibration, and/or motion, the central server or cloud-computingarchitecture 164 makes inferences about water usage in the home andprovides related services. For example, the central server orcloud-computing architecture 164 can run programs/algorithms thatrecognize what water sounds like and when it is running in the home.According to one embodiment, to map the various water sources of thehome, upon detecting running water, the central server orcloud-computing architecture 164 sends a message an occupant's mobiledevice asking if water is currently running or if water has beenrecently run in the home and, if so, which room and whichwater-consumption appliance (e.g., sink, shower, toilet, etc.) was thesource of the water. This enables the central server or cloud-computingarchitecture 164 to determine the “signature” or “fingerprint” of eachwater source in the home. This is sometimes referred to herein as “audiofingerprinting water usage.”

In one illustrative example, the central server or cloud-computingarchitecture 164 creates a signature for the toilet in the masterbathroom, and whenever that toilet is flushed, the central server orcloud-computing architecture 164 will know that the water usage at thattime is associated with that toilet. Thus, the central server orcloud-computing architecture 164 can track the water usage of thattoilet as well as each water-consumption application in the home. Thisinformation can be correlated to water bills or smart water meters so asto provide users with a breakdown of their water usage.

According to some embodiments, sound, vibration, and/or motion sensingcomponents of the smart devices are used to detect sound, vibration,and/or motion created by mice and other rodents as well as by termites,cockroaches, and other insects (collectively referred to as “pests”).Based on the detected sound, vibration, and/or motion, the centralserver or cloud-computing architecture 164 makes inferences aboutpest-detection in the home and provides related services. For example,the central server or cloud-computing architecture 164 can runprograms/algorithms that recognize what certain pests sound like, howthey move, and/or the vibration they create, individually and/orcollectively. According to one embodiment, the central server orcloud-computing architecture 164 can determine the “signatures” ofparticular types of pests.

For example, in the event the central server or cloud-computingarchitecture 164 detects sounds that may be associated with pests, itnotifies the occupants of such sounds and suggests hiring a pest controlcompany. If it is confirmed that pests are indeed present, the occupantsinput to the central server or cloud-computing architecture 164 confirmsthat its detection was correct, along with details regarding theidentified pests, such as name, type, description, location, quantity,etc. This enables the central server or cloud-computing architecture 164to “tune” itself for better detection and create “signatures” or“fingerprints” for specific types of pests. For example, the centralserver or cloud-computing architecture 164 can use the tuning as well asthe signatures and fingerprints to detect pests in other homes, such asnearby homes that may be experiencing problems with the same pests.Further, for example, in the event that two or more homes in a“neighborhood” are experiencing problems with the same or similar typesof pests, the central server or cloud-computing architecture 164 canmake inferences that nearby homes may also have such problems or may besusceptible to having such problems, and it can send warning messages tothose homes to help facilitate early detection and prevention.

In some embodiments, to encourage innovation and research and toincrease products and services available to users, the devices andservices platform 200 expose a range of application programminginterfaces (APIs) 210 to third parties, such as charities 222,governmental entities 224 (e.g., the Food and Drug Administration or theEnvironmental Protection Agency), academic institutions 226 (e.g.,university researchers), businesses 228 (e.g., providing devicewarranties or service to related equipment, targeting advertisementsbased on home data), utility companies 230, and other third parties. TheAPIs 210 are coupled to and permit third-party systems to communicatewith the central server or the cloud-computing system 164, including theservices 204, the processing engine 206, the home data 202, and thederived home data 208. For example, the APIs 210 allow applicationsexecuted by the third parties to initiate specific data processing tasksthat are executed by the central server or the cloud-computing system164, as well as to receive dynamic updates to the home data 202 and thederived home data 208.

For example, third parties can develop programs and/or applications,such as web or mobile apps, that integrate with the central server orthe cloud-computing system 164 to provide services and information tousers. Such programs and application may be, for example, designed tohelp users reduce energy consumption, to preemptively service faultyequipment, to prepare for high service demands, to track past serviceperformance, etc., or to perform any of a variety of beneficialfunctions or tasks now known or hereinafter developed.

According to some embodiments, third-party applications make inferencesfrom the home data 202 and the derived home data 208, such inferencesmay include when are occupants home, when are they sleeping, when arethey cooking, when are they in the den watching television, and when dothey shower. The answers to these questions may help third-partiesbenefit consumers by providing them with interesting information,products and services as well as with providing them with targetedadvertisements.

In one example, a shipping company creates an application that makesinferences regarding when people are at home. The application uses theinferences to schedule deliveries for times when people will most likelybe at home. The application can also build delivery routes around thesescheduled times. This reduces the number of instances where the shippingcompany has to make multiple attempts to deliver packages, and itreduces the number of times consumers have to pick up their packagesfrom the shipping company.

FIG. 3 illustrates an abstracted functional view of the extensibledevices and services platform 200 of FIG. 2, with particular referenceto the processing engine 206 as well as devices, such as those of thesmart-home environment 100 of FIG. 1. Even though devices situated insmart-home environments will have an endless variety of differentindividual capabilities and limitations, they can all be thought of assharing common characteristics in that each of them is a data consumer302 (DC), a data source 304 (DS), a services consumer 306 (SC), and aservices source 308 (SS). Advantageously, in addition to providing theessential control information needed for the devices to achieve theirlocal and immediate objectives, the extensible devices and servicesplatform 200 can also be configured to harness the large amount of datathat is flowing out of these devices. In addition to enhancing oroptimizing the actual operation of the devices themselves with respectto their immediate functions, the extensible devices and servicesplatform 200 can be directed to “repurposing” that data in a variety ofautomated, extensible, flexible, and/or scalable ways to achieve avariety of useful objectives. These objectives may be predefined oradaptively identified based on, e.g., usage patterns, device efficiency,and/or user input (e.g., requesting specific functionality).

For example, FIG. 3 shows processing engine 206 as including a number ofparadigms 310. Processing engine 206 can include a managed servicesparadigm 310 a that monitors and manages primary or secondary devicefunctions. The device functions can include ensuring proper operation ofa device given user inputs, estimating that (e.g., and responding to aninstance in which) an intruder is or is attempting to be in a dwelling,detecting a failure of equipment coupled to the device (e.g., a lightbulb having burned out), implementing or otherwise responding to energydemand response events, or alerting a user of a current or predictedfuture event or characteristic. Processing engine 206 can furtherinclude an advertising/communication paradigm 310 b that estimatescharacteristics (e.g., demographic information), desires and/or productsof interest of a user based on device usage. Services, promotions,products or upgrades can then be offered or automatically provided tothe user. Processing engine 206 can further include a social paradigm310 c that uses information from a social network, provides informationto a social network (for example, based on device usage), and/orprocesses data associated with user and/or device interactions with thesocial network platform. For example, a user's status as reported totheir trusted contacts on the social network could be updated toindicate when they are home based on light detection, security systeminactivation or device usage detectors. As another example, a user maybe able to share device-usage statistics with other users. In yetanother example, a user may share HVAC settings that result in low powerbills and other users may download the HVAC settings to their smartthermostat 102 to reduce their power bills.

The processing engine 206 can include achallenges/rules/compliance/rewards paradigm 310 d that informs a userof challenges, competitions, rules, compliance regulations and/orrewards and/or that uses operation data to determine whether a challengehas been met, a rule or regulation has been complied with and/or areward has been earned. The challenges, rules or regulations can relateto efforts to conserve energy, to live safely (e.g., reducing exposureto toxins or carcinogens), to conserve money and/or equipment life, toimprove health, etc. For example, one challenge may involve participantsturning down their thermostat by one degree for one week. Those thatsuccessfully complete the challenge are rewarded, such as by coupons,virtual currency, status, etc. Regarding compliance, an example involvesa rental-property owner making a rule that no renters are permitted toaccess certain owner's rooms. The devices in the room having occupancysensors could send updates to the owner when the room is accessed.

The processing engine 206 can integrate or otherwise utilize extrinsicinformation 316 from extrinsic sources to improve the functioning of oneor more processing paradigms. Extrinsic information 316 can be used tointerpret data received from a device, to determine a characteristic ofthe environment near the device (e.g., outside a structure that thedevice is enclosed in), to determine services or products available tothe user, to identify a social network or social-network information, todetermine contact information of entities (e.g., public-service entitiessuch as an emergency-response team, the police or a hospital) near thedevice, etc., to identify statistical or environmental conditions,trends or other information associated with a home or neighborhood, andso forth.

An extraordinary range and variety of benefits can be brought about by,and fit within the scope of, the described extensible devices andservices platform 200, ranging from the ordinary to the profound. Thus,in one “ordinary” example, each bedroom of the smart-home environment100 can be provided with a smart wall switch 108, a smart wall plug 110,and/or smart hazard detectors 104, all or some of which include anoccupancy sensor, wherein the occupancy sensor is also capable ofinferring (e.g., by virtue of motion detection, facial recognition,audible sound patterns, etc.) whether the occupant is asleep or awake.If a serious fire event is sensed, the remote security/monitoringservice or fire department is advised of how many occupants there are ineach bedroom, and whether those occupants are still asleep (or immobile)or whether they have properly evacuated the bedroom. While this is, ofcourse, a very advantageous capability accommodated by the describedextensible devices and services platform, there can be substantiallymore “profound” examples that can truly illustrate the potential of alarger “intelligence” that can be made available. By way of perhaps amore “profound” example, the same bedroom occupancy data that is beingused for fire safety can also be “repurposed” by the processing engine206 in the context of a social paradigm of neighborhood childdevelopment and education. Thus, for example, the same bedroom occupancyand motion data discussed in the “ordinary” example can be collected andmade available (properly anonymized) for processing in which the sleeppatterns of schoolchildren in a particular ZIP code can be identifiedand tracked. Localized variations in the sleeping patterns of theschoolchildren may be identified and correlated, for example, todifferent nutrition programs in local schools.

Intelligent Thermostat System for Boiler-Based Heating Systems

In this portion of the disclosure, an intelligent thermostat system forboiler-based heating systems will be presented. As used herein, the term“intelligent thermostat system” may refer to an environmental controlsystem that is configured to measure and regulate a temperature withinan enclosure by controlling one or more operations associated with aboiler-based heating system. In some embodiments, an intelligentthermostat system may include multiple components or devices that aredistributed throughout an enclosure. For example, an intelligentthermostat system may include a head unit, a backplate, the base unit,and/or a reflective stand. Each of these components or combination ofcomponents may be distributed in different locations throughout theenclosure and may communicate using wired and/or wireless communicationtechniques.

FIG. 4A illustrates an enclosure 400 using a boiler-based heatingsystem, according to some embodiments. Different enclosures may usedifferent types of HVAC systems, depending on their location. Somegeographic and/or political regions may primarily utilize force-airheating systems, while other regions may rely primarily on boiler-basedheating systems. Merely by way of example, in the United States, thereis a substantial population of homes that are heated by forced-airheating systems that are powered by natural gas, heating oil, otherfossil fuel, or by electricity (heat pumps and/or resistive heating),although in other cases there can be radiant electrical heating or othertypes of radiant heating. In contrast, and by way of further example,many homes in the United Kingdom and Europe have HVAC systems that use aboiler system to heat water for use in the enclosure (e.g. showers,laundry) and/or to provide a means for heating the enclosure itself(e.g. radiators). The embodiments described herein may be applicable toboiler-based heating systems. Generally, a boiler 416 can be locatedwithin the enclosure 400, typically in a basement or ground-floor. Inother configurations, the boiler 416 may be located outdoors, in astorage shed, in a laundry room, in a kitchen, in a closet, or in anyother area relatively near the enclosure 400. The boiler 416 heats orsuper heats water that can be circulated throughout the enclosure 400 inorder to heat the environment within the enclosure 400. Some boilers mayuse pressurized water systems that create superheated water vapor toincrease the temperature.

Heated water or water vapor from the boiler 416 may be circulatedthroughout the enclosure 400 into one or more radiators 410. In somehomes, each room may be equipped with its own radiator to providelocalized heat. In other homes, radiators may be strategically placedthroughout the enclosure to optimally heat the surrounding environment.Each radiator 410 may operate as a heat exchanger used to transferthermal energy from the heated water provided from the boiler into theair within the enclosure 400. Single-type radiators are usuallyconfigured to work with either heated steam or water vapor, whiledouble-type radiators are usually configured to work with both heatedsteam and heated water. Pump systems (not shown) may be co-located withthe boiler 416 in order to continuously pump water through the radiators410 during times when the boiler 416 is instructed to provide heat tothe enclosure 400. Water can be pumped from the boiler 416 to theradiator 410 through a hot water line 440. As heat is exchanged betweenthe radiator 410 and the environment of the enclosure 400, the waterexiting the radiator 410 may have cooled substantially. The cooled watercan exit the radiator 410 and return to the boiler 416 through a coldwater return line 442.

Each of the radiators 410 may be provided with a means for exercisinglocal control over the amount of heat provided by the radiator 410. Someradiators may include a control valve 408 on the radiator 410 that isconfigured to regulate the flow of heated water through the radiator410. As the valve 408 is opened, the heated water flow through radiator410 will increase, thereby causing the radiator 410 to heat the roommore effectively.—Conversely, as the valve 408 is closed, the heatedwater flow through the radiator 410 will decrease, thereby causing theradiator 410 to heat the room less effectively. It may be useful toconsider the control valve 408 as analogous to local vent controls on aforced air system that would be found in the United States. Just as ventcontrols allow users to regulate the flow of heated air into aparticular room in a forced air system, each control valve 408 allowsusers to regulate the heat of the radiator 410. In some cases, thecontrol valve 408 may comprise a thermostatic radiator control valve(TRV) that automatically regulates the pressure in the radiator 410according to a desired temperature that is mechanically specified usinga dial or knob on the control valve 408. The TRV could also haveelectromechanical control, which, in various embodiments, may facilitateadvanced features such as scheduling or remote control to be controlledby an intelligent thermostat system. The TRV can then detect the localair temperature and regulate the flow of hot water/steam through theradiator 410, depending on the temperature of the room.

In addition to the local temperature control provided by a control valve408, additional controls may be located throughout the enclosure 400,including at or near the boiler 416. The simplest boiler control is anon/off switch for the boiler 416. Turning on the boiler on/off switchcan activate a heating function and begin heating water/steam. Forexample, the boiler 416 can ignite a gas-based burner to begin heatingwater within its reservoir. In other boilers, turning on the boileron/off switch can place the boiler in a standby mode to await a commandfrom a programmer 420. Some boilers also include separate temperaturecontrols for controlling the temperature of the water/steam. This allowsthe user to control the temperature of the water/steam as it leaves theboiler 416 to supply heat to the enclosure 400. Generally, thetemperature controls for the boiler 416 will be set hotter in the winterand cooler in the summer.

In order to conserve energy, the programmer 420 may act as a gatewaydevice that automatically controls the times during which the boiler 416will actively heat water/steam. In some embodiments, a homeowner maywish to automatically turn off the boiler 416 during the day when theenclosure 400 is unoccupied. The homeowner may also desire toautomatically activate the boiler 416 during times when the enclosure400 is expected to be occupied. For example, the programmer 420 maycomprise a timer that automatically turns the boiler off between thehours of 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Thus when a homeowner returns from work atapproximately 5:00 PM, the boiler 416 will be on and ready to supplyheated water/steam to the enclosure 400. The programmer 420 may be assimple as mechanical timer or complex enough to set heating schedulesfor individual days.

The boiler 416 shown in FIG. 4A may provide both heated water/steam tothe enclosure 400 for heating the environment, as well as providing areservoir of heated water for direct use, such as showering, washingdishes, providing bathwater, and/or the like. This direct use may bereferred to “demand hot water,” or DHW. A boiler 416 that acts as bothan environmental heater and a water heater may be referred to as acombination boiler, or “combi-boiler.” When a combination boiler isinstalled, the programmer 420 may be configured to regulate one or bothof the environmental heating function and/or the water heating function.A combi-boiler may use a single channel programmer that provides outputsto control both calls for heat and DHW commands with the same function.

In some cases, the programmer 420 may provide the primary means by whicha user may regulate the temperature within the enclosure 400. Forexample, the user may set the programmer 420 to activate the boiler 420for a few hours in order to keep the enclosure 400 warm. In someembodiments, this may be done at regularly scheduled intervals accordingto a schedule programmed manually for the enclosure 400. However, thismethod of controlling the operation of the boiler 416 is very coarse atbest, and is not generally a reliable method of environmentaltemperature control, particularly as seasons change and outdoor weathereffects affect the enclosure 400 differently throughout the year.

In order to provide more fine-grained control for heating the enclosure400, one or more thermostats 404 may be provided that arecommunicatively coupled to the programmer 420 and/or the boiler 416. Inthe configuration illustrated by FIG. 4A, thermostat 404 is coupled tothe programmer 420 via a wired connection 406. Thermostat 404 mayreceive power from the programmer 420. The thermostat 404 may becomprised of a bimetallic coil strip that can be adjusted according to adesired temperature. Power can be provided to both the boiler 416 and/orthe programmer 420 through a mains AC power source. The mains AC powersource may comprise any suitable power output. For example, in Englandthe mains AC power source may comprise a 220 VAC power outlet.Typically, the 220 VAC signal may be propagated through one line of thewired connection 406 and returned to the other line of the wireconnection 406 when the thermostat 404 calls for a heating function.Therefore, the thermostat 404 acts as a switch that determines whenheated water/steam should be circulated through the radiators 410, 412.It should be noted that many different wiring configurations arepossible due to the number of different makes, models, and/orinstallation scenarios for boiler-based heating systems. Although notshown explicitly in FIG. 4A, the boiler 416 may receive AC power fromthe mains AC power source through the programmer 420. Thus theprogrammer 420 may operate as a power switch for the boiler 416,determining when power should be connected in order to actively heat thewater/steam. As known in the art, the mains AC power supplied to theboiler 416 most often does not constitute the actual fuel source for theheating process itself, which is usually natural gas, oil, or other highenergy density fuel source, but rather, this mains AC power is used forpowering the electrical/electronic components of the boiler 416 andfurthermore serving as a signaling means for instantiating the heatingfunction. In other configurations, the mains AC power source may beconnected independently to the boiler 416 and/or the programmer 420. Theprogrammer 420 may act as a gatekeeper between the thermostat 404 andthe boiler 416. Thus, the programmer 420 may control when the boiler 416is allowed to accept and respond to a call-for-heat command from thethermostat 404.

The thermostat 404 may be connected directly to the programmer 420 asillustrated in FIG. 4A. Alternatively, the thermostat 404 may beconnected to one or more zone valves (not shown in FIG. 4A), which arethen in turn coupled through the programmer 420 to the boiler 416. Zonevalves can be used to independently control different radiators, such asradiator 410 throughout the enclosure 400. Valves may include switches,motors, conduits, and/or the like that can be opened and closed to allowheated water/steam to flow therethrough, and, when at the end of theopening process, cause a mains line voltage received from the thermostat404 to be passed through to the boiler 416 to instantiate the heatingprocess. Different models of the programmer 420 may be configured tocontrol multiple valves using multiple thermostat inputs. The thermostat404 may be routed through the programmer 420 or may be connecteddirectly to one or more of the valve controls. In other cases, thethermostat 404 may also be connected directly to the boiler 416. Thevarious wiring configurations will vary depending on the particularsystem and/or installation.

In some configurations, each zone may be equipped with its ownthermostat 404. Typically, a thermostat 404 will be hardwired to theprogrammer 420 using wires that are hidden within the walls of theenclosure and/or within conduit attached to the walls. By providing athermostat 404 with power from the mains AC power source, the thermostat404 can both be powered by and communicate through the wired connection406. Although not as common, some boiler-based heating systems may alsoutilize wireless communications between a thermostat and the programmer420. A thermostat communicating with the programmer 420 via a wirelessconnection is not connected to the programmer 420 via a wiredconnection. Therefore, the thermostat 402 must receive power from analternative power source, such as a local power outlet or primary-cellbatteries. A detailed description of an enclosure with multiple zonesand corresponding zone valves will be provided below in relation toFIGS. 5A-5B. The boiler-based heating system in FIG. 4A can beinterpreted to represent a boiler system without zone valves that hasonly a single output, or to represent a boiler system with one or moreinternally-integrated zone valves.

While the simple system described in FIG. 4A may be adequate formodestly-sized enclosures with low comfort expectations, many consumersare beginning to demand more intelligent environmental control systems.Concern for the environment is prompting many home and building ownersto demand a more finely-tuned control system for regulating when theboiler 416 actively heats water/steam, and when the heated water/steamis circulated throughout the enclosure 400. Additionally, many Europeancountries have much higher utility rates than those in the UnitedStates. Therefore, many home and building owners may be motivated formonetary reasons to more efficiently control the temperature within (andthus the energy consumption of) the enclosure 400.

One problem with the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4A is thebifurcation of the boiler control functions between the programmer 420and the thermostat 404. In order to adjust the boiler schedule, the userneeds to adjust the schedule on the programmer 420. Because theprogrammer 420 is usually co-located with the boiler 416, the user isless likely to adjust the programmer 420 when their daily schedulechanges, which can lead to wasted energy if the programmer 420 enablesthe heat maintenance function of the thermostat 404/boiler 416 while thedwelling is unoccupied. Additionally, wire connections 406 are oftenrequired for many legacy thermostats 404 and involve high-voltagetransmissions. As illustrated by FIG. 4A, the wired connection 406between the thermostat 404 and the programmer 420 carries a 220 VACsignal. Therefore, the embodiments described herein implement anintelligent thermostat system in order to overcome these and many otherproblems with existing systems.

FIG. 4B illustrates a home environment with a boiler-based heatingsystem controlled by an intelligent thermostat system, according to someembodiments. The intelligent thermostat system may comprise one or moreintelligent thermostats 444 and one or more base units 446. In someembodiments, each of the intelligent thermostats 444 may be paired witha unique base unit 446. In other embodiments, each of the intelligentthermostats 444 may be paired with the same base unit 446. Forsimplicity, FIG. 4B illustrates a single base unit 446 and a singleintelligent thermostat 444, but it will be understood that multiple baseunit and intelligent thermostat combinations may be present in theenclosure 400.

Generally, the base unit 446 may be co-located with the boiler 416 andmay be used to interface directly with the boiler controls. In contrast,the intelligent thermostat 444 may be configured to perform advancedscheduling algorithms, time-to-temperature algorithms, environmentalcontrol algorithms, sunlight compensation algorithms, occupancydetection algorithms, and/or the like. The intelligent thermostat 444may also be configured to communicate with the smart home systemdescribed herein comprising hazard detectors and other devices within asmart home environment. The intelligent thermostat 444 may also beconfigured to perform the functions of the programmer 420 in controllingwhen the boiler 416 is actively heating water/steam.

FIG. 4B illustrates one configuration where the base unit 446 isconnected to the intelligent thermostat 444 via a wired connection 406.When installing the intelligent thermostat system in an enclosure withan existing boiler 416 and programmer 420, the same wire connection 406may be used to connect the intelligent thermostat 444 to the base unit446 as was used to connect the old thermostat to the programmer 420.Thus no new wires need to be pulled through walls of the enclosure 400in order to install the intelligent thermostat system. As will bedescribed later, the wire connection 406 can be used to communicatebetween the intelligent thermostat 444 and the base unit 446.Additionally, the base unit 446 can provide power to the intelligentthermostat 444 via the wired connection 406. The base unit 446 canprovide a lower-voltage signal to the intelligent thermostat 444 thanthe 220 VAC connection provided by traditional boiler-based systems. Forexample, some embodiments may supply a 12 VDC signal to power theintelligent thermostat 444 and/or communicate with the intelligentthermostat 444.

In the configuration of FIG. 4B, a programmer 420 is still present.Occasionally, the programmer 420 may be built into the boiler 416 suchthat its removal is not practical. In other cases where a combi-boileris not used, the programmer 420 may still be needed to control a hotwater heating function for showers, laundry, and/or the like. Inconfigurations such as this where the programmer 420 is still connectedto the boiler 416, the base unit 446 may communicate with the programmer420 and/or directly with the boiler 416 (not shown). Similarly, themains AC power supply may be connected to any combination of theprogrammer 420, the base unit 446, and/or the boiler 416 in series or inparallel, depending on the particular installation. In order to operatewith the base unit 446, the programmer 420 may be set such that theprogrammer is always “on.” In one embodiment, an installation manualincluded with the intelligent thermostat system may include a stickerprovided for the user to place on the programmer 420. The sticker mayinclude instructions, notifications, or warnings that indicate to theuser that the programmer 420 should be left on such that the intelligentthermostat system may operate as intended. In some embodiments, the baseunit 446 could have separate control channels for heating and hot water,thus comprising all functionality of the previous programmer andallowing a configuration as shown in FIG. 4B. In other words, someembodiments of the base unit 446 can also replace the hot water functionof the programmer for use with combi-boilers.

Generally, when an intelligent thermostat system includes a base unit446 as described herein, the programmer 420 can be bypassed or otherwiseneutralized with respect to the central heating (CH) function. Theprogrammer 420 can either be disconnected and removed from theboiler-based heating system, or wiring connections can be made such thatthe programmer 420 simply passes signals through from the base unit 446to the boiler 416. For example, many modern combi-boilers include anintegrated programmer that cannot be simply removed from the system. Inthese embodiments, the programmer 420 can be wired or configured suchthat the programmer 420 is always in an “on” state. This can includeshorting actual wired connections, and/or manipulating settings on theprogrammer 420.

In cases where the programmer 420 does not control a hot water heaterfor laundry/bathing, some embodiments will remove the programmer 420during installation of the intelligent thermostat system. In this case,the base unit 446 can communicate directly with the boiler 416, and insome cases can regulate the flow of power from the mains AC power sourceto the boiler 416. The base unit 446 can be configured with one or moreswitches, such as relays, triacs, and/or power FETs to switch the 220VAC signals required to control the boiler 416. The base unit 446 canalso be configured to convert and regulate the 220 VAC signals for usein other parts of the system; e.g., it may be configured to convert thesignals into lower voltage DC signals that can be used to power theintelligent thermostat 444. Therefore, user interactions may mainlyinvolve the intelligent thermostat 444. In contrast, the base unit 446can operate largely independent of user interactions by receivinginstructions from the intelligent thermostat 444. Thus, the user cancontrol the operation of the boiler 416 without having to adjust theprogrammer 420, if the programmer 420 is still connected. The programmerfunctions can instead be implemented using the intelligent thermostat444.

FIG. 4C illustrates an intelligent thermostat system incorporatingwireless connections, according to some embodiments. The base unit 446may additionally or alternatively be equipped with a radio device tocommunicate wirelessly with the intelligent thermostat 444. Wirelesscommunication can be enabled for systems that that are not connected viaa wired connection. In this case, the intelligent thermostat 444 mayreceive power through a local power source 414 such as a power outlet,battery, etc. Consequently, the base unit 506 may be configured toaccept wired and/or wireless communications from an intelligentthermostat 444. Note that in some embodiments, the intelligentthermostat 444 can communicate with the base unit 446 both wirelesslyand through a wired connection. As will be described further below, suchdual-mode communication can include cases where the intelligentthermostat 444 is powered by the base unit 446 through a wiredconnection, and where the wireless communication replaces or supplementsany wired communications. This may be done for purposes of reliability,redundancy, adherence to local wireless and/or wired communicationcodes, and/or the like.

FIG. 5A illustrates an example of a more complicated boiler-basedheating system with multiple zone valves and an external reservoir forDHW, according to some embodiments. In this embodiment, the enclosure400 is divided into multiple zones. Each zone is associated with its ownthermostat 404 and radiator 410 combination. In order to independentlycontrol each of the various zones, independent zone valves 504 can becoupled to each of the thermostats 404 and radiators 410. Specifically,flow of heated steam/water through the hot water line 440 into each ofthe radiators 410 can be controlled by the opening and closing of therespective zone valves 504.

As illustrated in FIG. 5A, thermostat 404-1 is communicatively coupledto zone valve 504-1. When thermostat 404-1 determines that a call forheat is required, a signal can be sent to zone valve 504-1 that causeszone valve 504-1 to open and allow heated water/steam to flow throughradiator 410-1. It will be understood that the same process can befollowed for other zones. For example, thermostat 404-2 can cause zonevalve 504-2 to open and thereby allow heated steam/water to flow throughradiator 410-2. Although only two zones are shown in FIG. 5A, otherembodiments may have more or fewer zones without restriction, within theenclosure 400.

As described above, combi-boiler systems combine the provisioning ofdemand hot water (DHW) destined for domestic use and the provisioning ofcall-for-heat (CH) hot water destined for radiators into the samephysical boiler system. By way of contrast, the embodiment of FIG. 5Aillustrates a separate domestic water reservoir, often termed a cylinder502, that stores water for DHW purposes. For example, the cylinder 502can supply water for dishwashers, water faucets, washing machines,and/or the like. In embodiments such as these, a dual-channel programmer506 may be used to separately control the boiler 416 in conjunction withthe cylinder 502 for DHW commands, and the boiler 416 in conjunctionwith the zone valves 504 for CH commands.

In this embodiment, the zone valves 504 are shown as being separate forthe cylinder 502 and each of the zones. However, in some embodiments,one or more of the zone valve 504 may be combined into a singlemultifunction unit. For example, a mid-position valve (not shown) can beused that will provide multiple flow configurations. One midpositionvalve can allow heated steam/water to flow to (1) a radiator 410 in aparticular zone, (2) to the cylinder 502, or (3) to both the particularradiator 410 and the cylinder 502 simultaneously.

The wiring illustrated in FIG. 5A will be understood to be simplifiedfor illustrative purposes. In actual systems, many different wiringconfigurations are possible. For example, one embodiment may accept amains line power supply (220 VAC) from the enclosure 400 through thedual-channel programmer 506. The power signal can be routed from thedual-channel programmer 506 to the zone valves 504. The zone valves 504can then provide power to the thermostats 404, and the thermostats 404can provide a signal that controls the open/closed setting of the valves504. When the thermostats 504 send a signal that causes the valves 504to open, power can then be connected through the valves 504 to theboiler 416 by way of the dual-channel programmer 506. Providing power tothe boiler 416 may also power one or more pumps (not shown) that forceheated steam/water to circulate through the boiler-based heating systemvia the hot water line 440 and returning through the cold water return442. This configuration allows the dual-channel programmer 506 toregulate when the thermostats 404 are allowed to actuate the zone valves504 and provide power to the boiler 416. When the dual channelprogrammer 506 is off, the thermostats 404 may be unable to activate thezone valves 404 or the boiler 416.

It should also be noted that many boiler-based heating systems use ajunction box into which all of the wiring connections illustrated byFIG. 5A can be routed. During installation, a technician can then makeconnections between the thermostats 404, the dual channel programmer506, the zone valves 504, and/or the boiler 416 all in a singlelocation. For illustrative purposes, the junction box is not shownexplicitly in FIG. 5A in order to clearly show the locations of varioussystem elements and the communication therebetween. It should also beunderstood that the locations of system elements, such as thethermostats 404, the radiators 410, the zone valves 504, the dualchannel programmer 506, and/or the boiler 416, may be relocatedthroughout the enclosure 400 depending on various factors. For example,the zone valves 504 may be co-located with the boiler 416, or they maybe distributed throughout the enclosure, such as in the floor, in acloset, and/or the like.

FIG. 5B illustrates a boiler-based heating system with multiple zonescontrolled by an intelligent thermostat system, according to someembodiments. The thermostats 404 of FIG. 5A have been replaced withintelligent thermostats 444 in FIG. 5B. As with the single-channelprogrammer of FIGS. 4A-4B, the dual-channel programmer 506 can bebypassed or otherwise neutralized for the CH function. However, in thisembodiment, the DHW function can continue to operate as normal. Eachintelligent thermostat 444 can be connected to a base unit 446 that inturn communicates with the zone valves 504. As illustrated, theintelligent thermostats 444 can communicate wirelessly and/or through awired connection with the base units 446. The wired connection betweenbase unit 446-1 and intelligent thermostat 444-1 may comprise alow-voltage signal, such as 12 VDC. In this embodiment, each intelligentthermostat 444 is uniquely paired with an associated base unit 446.Thus, intelligent thermostat 444-1 can communicate wirelessly with baseunit 446-1 without interfering with wireless communications betweenintelligent thermostat 444-2 and base unit 446-2.

FIG. 6 illustrates an intelligent thermostat system 600 comprising ahead unit 602, a backplate 604, and a base unit 606, according to someembodiments. By designing a modular intelligent thermostat system 600,some components can be reused/repurposed depending on the geographiclocation. For example, the head unit 602 that includes a user interfaceand high power processing functions can be programmed with differentsoftware modules depending on which country the intelligent thermostatsystem 600 is being installed in, e.g., whether the intelligentthermostat system 600 is being installed in the United States or inEurope. The backplate 604 can be configured to interface directly with aforced air HVAC system comprising three or more wired connections, whileother versions of the backplate 604 can be configured to interface witha two wire connection in a boiler-based system, while both versions mayadvantageously be configured to couple to an identical hardware versionof the head unit 602, such that a single hardware version of the headunit can be produced and only require software modifications to becompatible with different versions of the backplate 604. The base unit606 can be configured to interface with the boiler 416 and tocommunicate and/or provide power to the backplate 604 for the head unit602.

Another advantage gained by a modular intelligent thermostat system 600involves ease of installation. During installation, and after removal ofthe old thermostat, two wires will generally be exposed protruding fromthe wall of the enclosure. These wires can be inserted into the wireconnections of the backplate 604 through the center hole. The backplate604 can then be screwed to the wall and the head unit 602 can then besecured to the backplate 604. The base unit 606 can be installed inclose proximity to the boiler 416 and attached to an existing wiredconnection and/or wirelessly paired with the head unit 602.

This modular design also allows the high-power 220 VAC signals from themains AC power source to be isolated near the boiler 416. Thiseliminates the need for high voltages to run through wires within thehome, thus eliminating a possible fire hazard. Additionally, the lowervoltage sent to the wire connection by the base unit 606 will pose lessof a danger to the installer of the thermostat comprising the backplate604 and the head unit 602. The base unit 606 can take the 220 VAC powersupply and regulate/reduce it to a safer DC level, such as 12 VDC. Thisallows the head unit 602 and the backplate 604 to operate at lower DCvoltages, while the base unit 606 can interact with the boiler 416 athigher AC voltages.

In order to understand the operation in the interaction between each ofthe three modules of the intelligent thermostat system 600 (the headunit 602, the backplate 604, and the base unit 606), each of thesemodules will be discussed individually below. A description of theintelligent thermostat comprised of the head unit 602 and the backplate604 will be described first, followed by individual descriptions of thehead unit 602, the backplate 604, and then the base unit 606.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an intelligent thermostat foundto be particularly advantageous for use in conjunction with one or moreof the described embodiments. The intelligent thermostat 700 has asleek, elegant appearance. The intelligent thermostat 700 comprises acircular main body 708 with a diameter of about 8 cm and that has avisually pleasing outer finish, such as a satin nickel or chrome finish.A cap-like structure comprising a rotatable outer ring 706, a sensorring 704, and a circular display monitor 702 is separated from the mainbody 708 by a small peripheral gap 710. The outer ring 706 may have anouter finish identical to that of the main body 708, while the sensorring 704 and circular display monitor 702 may have a common circularglass (or plastic) outer covering that is gently arced in an outwarddirection and that provides a sleek yet solid and durable-lookingoverall appearance. The sensor ring 704 contains any of a wide varietyof sensors, including infrared sensors, visible-light sensors, andacoustic sensors. The glass or plastic that covers the sensor ring 704may be smoked or mirrored such that the sensors themselves are notvisible to the user. An air venting functionality may be provided, viathe peripheral gap 710, which allows the ambient air to be sensed by theinternal sensors without the need for gills or grill-like vents.

FIGS. 8A-8B illustrate the intelligent thermostat 700 of FIG. 7 as it isbeing controlled by a user. The intelligent thermostat 700 is controlledby at least two types of user inputs: (1) a rotation of the outer ring706 illustrated in FIG. 8A; and (2) an inward push on the outer ring 706illustrated by FIG. 8B. The inward push may include an audible and/ortactile “click” that occurs when the input has mechanically registeredwith the thermostat. The inward push may cause the outer ring 706 tomove forward towards the main body and/or towards a wall on which theintelligent thermostat 700 is mounted, while in another implementation,the entire cap-like structure, including the outer ring 706, the glasscovering of the sensor ring 704, and circular display monitor 702, maymove inwardly together when pushed. The sensor ring 704, the circulardisplay monitor 702, and the common glass covering do not rotate withouter ring 706 in one implementation. In the drawings shown herein, the“z” direction is outward from the wall, the “y” direction is thetoe-to-head direction relative to a walk-up user, and the “x” directionis the user's left-to-right direction.

By rotation of the outer ring 706, or ring rotation, and inward pushingof the outer ring 706, or inward click, the intelligent thermostat 700can receive some or all of the necessary information from the user forbasic setup and operation. The outer ring 706 is mechanically mounted ina manner that provides a smooth yet viscous feel to the user, forfurther promoting an overall feeling of elegance while also reducingspurious or unwanted rotational inputs. To summarize, the intelligentthermostat 700 may be operable to recognize a variety of user inputs,such as: (1) ring rotate left, (2) ring rotate right, and (3) inwardclick. In other implementations, more complex fundamental user inputscan be recognized, such as double-click or triple-click inward presses,along with speed-sensitive or acceleration-sensitive rotational inputs.

FIGS. 9A-9D illustrate an intelligent thermostat 900 that is similar incertain respects to the intelligent thermostat 700 of FIGS. 7-8B, supra,the intelligent thermostat 900 having a visually pleasing, smooth, sleekand rounded exterior appearance while at the same time includingmultiple environmental sensors, multiple occupancy sensors, intelligentprocessing and logging capability, and network connectivity capability.FIG. 9A is a front view, FIG. 9B is a bottom elevation view, FIG. 9C isa right side elevation view, and FIG. 9D is a perspective view ofintelligent thermostat 900. Intelligent thermostat 900 is wallmountable, is circular in shape, and has an outer rotatable ring 912 forreceiving user input(s). The outer rotatable ring 912 allows the user tomake adjustments, such as selecting a new setpoint temperature. Rotationof the outer ring 912 can be sensed by an onboard optical fingernavigation (OFN) module 961 that is configured and positioned to sensemovement of a textured surface relative to an inner surface of the outerring 912. The front face of the intelligent thermostat 900 comprises aclear cover 914 that according to some embodiments is polycarbonate, anda Fresnel lens 910 having an outer shape that matches the contours ofthe curved outer front face of the intelligent thermostat 900. For someembodiments, an inward pressing of the outer ring 912 and/or the clearcover 914 of the intelligent thermostat 900 causes inward motion of theentire outer ring 912 and cover 914 (“inward click”) toward the wall,and therefore a very large percentage of the visible portion of theintelligent thermostat 900 moves toward the wall during an inward click.This can be contrasted with the intelligent thermostat 700 of FIG. 7,supra, for which an inward pressing of the outer ring 706 and/or theglass covering over display monitor 702 and sensor ring 704 causes aninward motion of the outer ring 706 and glass covering toward thestationary circular main body 708 to reduce the thickness of theperipheral gap 710, and therefore a relatively modest percentage of thevisible portion of the intelligent thermostat 700 moves toward the wallduring an inward click. Behind the Fresnel lens is a passive infraredsensor 950 for detecting occupancy, i.e., for detecting the presence ofa person who is generally in the same room or space as the intelligentthermostat 900. As shown in FIGS. 9A-9D, the front edge of rotating ring912, front face 914 and Fresnel lens 910 are shaped such that theytogether form an integrated convexly rounded front face that has acommon outward arc or spherical shape gently arcing outward.

Although being formed from a single lens-like piece of material such aspolycarbonate, the cover 914 has two different regions or portionsincluding an outer portion 914-1 that is painted or smoked and a centralportion 914-2 that is visibly clear so as to facilitate viewing of anelectronic display 916 disposed thereunder. According to one embodimentin which the diameter of the intelligent thermostat 900 is about 80 mm,the diameter of the electronic display 916 is about 45 mm. A seconddownwardly-tilted PIR sensor 952 is provided to detect an approachinguser, i.e., a person who is close enough that they may be intending tophysically interact with the intelligent thermostat 900 and/or may beintending to read the electronic display 916. The proximity sensor 952can be used to detect proximity in the range of about one meter so thatthe intelligent thermostat 900 can initiate “waking up” when the user isapproaching the thermostat. Such use of proximity sensing is useful forenhancing the user experience by being “ready” for interaction orviewing as soon as, or very soon after, the user is ready to interactwith or view the thermostat. Further, the wake-on-proximityfunctionality also allows for energy savings within the thermostat byallowing the electronic display 916 and certain of its internalcomponents to “sleep” when no user interaction or viewing is takingplace or about to take place.

The intelligent thermostat 900 further includes a processing system (notshown in FIGS. 9A-9D), a display driver (not shown in FIGS. 9A-9D), anda wireless communication system (not shown in FIGS. 9A-9D). Theprocessing system is configured and programmed to carry out thegovernance of the operation of intelligent thermostat 900 includingvarious user interface features. The processing system is furtherprogrammed and configured to carry out other operations as describedfurther herein, and/or in other ones of the commonly assignedincorporated applications, such as, but not limited to: automatedself-programming of an HVAC schedule based on user temperature settinginputs and other factors; automated and optimally-timed determinationbased on historical occupancy statistics that the house is likelyunoccupied and corresponding automated temperature setback to reduceenergy use during those times; automated prediction of an estimated timeto reach a target temperature and corresponding displayed advisory onthe user interface; automated data logging and uploading of data logs toa central cloud-based server; automated and optimized control ofparticular HVAC equipment based on current and historical operatingstatistics and current and forecasted outside weather; automated gradualschedule migration (with informed user consent) to lower-energy settingsover selected periods of time such that users are less likely to feeluncomfortable at the lower-energy temperature setpoints; automatedgeneration and continuous updating of a home thermal model and HVACcharacteristics for improved HVAC control; automated and optimizedcooperation (with informed user consent) with utility demand-responseevent notifications by computation and continual updating of optimaltemperature setpoint trajectories to maximize selected metrics of energytime-shifting while also minimizing selected metrics of user discomfort;and a variety of other useful and energy-saving, comfort-producingfunctionalities. In furtherance of these objectives, the wirelesscommunications system is used to communicate with devices such as homewireless routers, other thermostats or HVAC system components, or othersmart-home devices, with such communications being, for example,peer-to-peer communications, communications through one or more serverslocated on a private network, and/or communications through acloud-based service.

FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate exploded front and rear perspective views,respectively, of the intelligent thermostat 900 with respect to its twomain components, which are a head unit 940 and a backplate 942. For easeof installation, configuration and/or upgrading, especially by anon-expert installer such as a user, as well as for providing otherfeatures and advantages, the intelligent thermostat 900 comprises atwo-part mechanical assembly including the head unit 940 and thebackplate 942. The backplate 942 is configured and dimensioned to beaffixed to a wall or other supporting surface, and comprises wiringterminals for coupling to HVAC wires that lead to the HVAC system beingcontrolled. The head unit 940 is removably mountable to the backplate942. Different portions of the functionality of the intelligentthermostat 900 are judiciously apportioned between the head unit 940 andthe backplate 942 such that a variety of different goals, objectives,and functionalities are achieved by virtue of their combination.

FIGS. 11A-11B illustrate exploded front and rear perspective views,respectively, of the head unit 940 with respect to its primarycomponents. Head unit 940 includes a back cover 1136, a bottom frame1134, a battery assembly 1132, the outer ring 912 (which is manipulatedfor ring rotations), a head unit frontal assembly 1130, the front lens914, and the Fresnel lens 910. Head unit frontal assembly 1130 includesa top frame 1152 that contains an LCD module 1162, and further comprisesa head unit printed circuit board (PCB) 1154 that contains a substantialportion of the head unit electronic components including processing,memory, wireless communication, powering and battery charging, and otherelectronic components. Electrical components on the head unit frontalassembly 1130 can connect to electrical components on the backplate 942by virtue of ribbon cables and/or other plug type electrical connectorson back cover 1136. According to some embodiments, circuitry andcomponents are mounted on both sides of PCB 1154, while in otherembodiments the majority of the circuitry and components are containedon the forward-facing side (i.e., facing outward from the wall) of thehead unit PCB 1154. An RF shielding can 1156 (visible in FIG. 11B)surrounds most or all of the circuitry and components of the head unitPCB 1154 and serves to shield the circuitry and components fromelectromagnetic interference. The portion of RF shielding 1156 that isvisible in FIG. 11B shields the underside of the electrical componentson the forward-facing side of the PCB 1154. The RF shielding 1156 isalso present over the forward-facing side of the PCB 1154 (not visiblein FIG. 11B) such that those components are fully surrounded by RFshielding.

Battery assembly 1132 includes a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery 1122,which for one preferred embodiment has a nominal voltage of 3.7 voltsand a nominal capacity of 560 mAh. To extend battery life, however, thebattery 1122 is normally not charged beyond 450 mAh by the thermostatbattery charging circuitry. Moreover, although the battery 1122 is ratedto be capable of being charged to 4.2 volts, the thermostat batterycharging circuitry normally does not charge it beyond 3.95 volts.Battery assembly 1132 also includes connecting wires 1166, and a batterymounting film 1164 that is attached to battery 1122 using a strongadhesive and to the rear shielding can 1156 of head unit PCB 1154 usinga relatively weaker adhesive. By using a weaker adhesive to mount thefilm 1164 of battery assembly 1132 to shielding can 1156 of the PCB1154, subsequent replacement of battery assembly 1132 (including battery1122) is facilitated. According to some embodiments, the batteryassembly 1132 is user-replaceable.

FIGS. 12A-12B illustrate additional exploded front and rear perspectiveviews, respectively, of the head unit 940, with further illustration ofenumerated components of the head unit frontal assembly 1130. Head unitfrontal assembly 1130 comprises the head unit top frame 1152, the headunit PCB 1154, and the LCD module 1162. As illustrated, the opticalfinger navigation (OFN) module 961 (see FIG. 9A, supra) is implementedas a daughter board that connects to the head unit PCB 1154 and ispositioned thereon so that it can sense rotation of the outer ring 912.The OFN module 961 is directed radially outwardly (that is,perpendicular to the z-axis and away from the center of the thermostat).The OFN module 961 uses methods analogous to the operation of opticalcomputer mice to sense the movement of a textured surface on an innerface of the outer ring 912. Notably, the OFN module 961 is one of thevery few sensors that are controlled by a relatively power-intensivehead unit microprocessor rather than a relatively low-power backplatemicroprocessor, which are discussed further below. Among otherfunctions, the relatively low-power backplate microprocessor is used forpolling and controlling sensors for temperature, humidity, infraredproximity, ambient light level detection, and inward-click user inputsso that the relatively high-powered head unit microprocessor can be in alow-power sleep state for most of the time. Notably, control of the OFNmodule 961 by the head unit microprocessor can be achieved withoutconfounding this power conservation strategy, because the head unitprocessor will already be awake (by virtue of detection by the PIRmotion sensors 950/952) by the time the user manually turns therotatable ring 912. Advantageously, very fast response to the user'sturning of the rotatable ring 912 can be provided by the head unitmicroprocessor. In some embodiments, the OFN module 961 may be arelatively “smart” sensor that manages its own power and stores datalocally until retrieved. This may be contrasted with the other sensorson the intelligent thermostat that may not have either of thesecapabilities. Also, since the OFN module 961 may be used primarily foruser interface operations and not for occupancy/HVAC control, itconnects to the processor driving the user interface.

Also visible in FIGS. 12A-12B is Fresnel lens 910 that operates inconjunction with the two PIR motion sensors 950 and 952 (see FIG. 9A,supra) that are mounted on a PIR mini-board 1260, which in turn attachesto the back side (i.e., the wall-facing side) of PCB 1154. Openings atcorresponding locations of the top frame 1152 and PCB 1154 allowinfrared radiation that has passed through Fresnel lens 910 to impingeupon the PIR motion sensors 950 and 952. Two or more temperature sensorsare also located in the head unit 940 and cooperate to acquire reliableand accurate room temperature data. One of the temperature sensors islocated on the daughter board of the OFN module 961 and the other ismounted on the head unit PCB 1154.

FIG. 13 illustrates a front aerial view of the head unit PCB 1154. Thehead unit circuit board 1154 comprises a head unit microprocessor 1302,such as a Texas Instruments AM3703 chip, and an associated oscillator1303, along with DDR SDRAM memory 1304 (which may be, for example, 64 MBor greater in size), and mass NAND flash storage 1306 (which may be, forexample, 256 MB or greater in size). A Wi-Fi module 1308, such as aMurata Wireless Solutions LBWA19XSLZ module, which is based on the TexasInstruments WL1270 chipset supporting the 802.11 b/g/n WLAN standard, isprovided in a separate compartment of RF shielding 1156 for Wi-Ficapability. Associated with Wi-Fi module 1308 is supporting circuitry(not shown) such as a 26 MHz crystal oscillator (not shown). Head unitPCB further comprises an IEEE 802.15.4-compatible wireless communicationmodule 1310, such as an Ember EM357 chip available from SiliconLaboratories, Inc., also in a separately shielded RF compartment. Usinga protocol that is compatible with IEEE 802.15.4, which is a standardthat specifies the physical and media access control layers forrelatively low-rate wireless personal area networks, the intelligentthermostat 900 may be provided with an ability to communicate directlywith different smart-home sensors for achieving any of a variety ofuseful environmental control and monitoring objectives. Associated withthe IEEE 802.15.4 module 1310 is supporting circuitry such as a 24 MHzcrystal oscillator (not shown) and a front end chip 1312, such as aSKY65384 Front-End Module available from Skyworks Solutions, Inc., thatcomprises a transmit amplifier, a low-noise amplifier for receive, and atransmit/receive switch. Preferably, both the Wi-Fi module 1308 and IEEE802.15.4 module 1310 are dynamically programmable, with programs foreach being stored in the mass NAND flash storage 1306 and loaded thereonupon reboot, which provides an ability for respective new, different, orupdated programs to be downloaded from a central server, stored in themass NAND flash storage 1306, and then loaded into the respectivewireless modules 1308/1310.

Head unit PCB 1154 further includes the PIR mini-board 1260 that isscrew-mounted thereto (screws not shown) below the plane thereof, thePIR mini-board 1260 for supporting the forward-facing (occupancydetecting) PIR detector 950, and the diagonally-downward-facing(proximity detecting) PIR detector 952, such that each of the PIRdetectors protrudes through an inwardly extending opening of the headunit PCB 1154. By way of example and not by way of limitation, theforward-facing (occupancy detecting) PIR detector 950 may be a PYD 1794pyroelectric detector, and the diagonally-downward-facing (proximitydetecting) PIR detector 952 can be a PYD 5731 pyroelectric detector,both available from Excelitas Technologies Corp.

Head unit PCB 1154 further includes a physical/electrical connector 1322that mounts thereto inside of an inwardly facing recess along aperimeter thereof. Mateably attached to the physical/electricalconnector 1322 is a daughterboard 1324 that, when so attached, risesperpendicular to the head unit PCB 1154 (i.e., in the z-direction inFIG. 13). Mounted on an outwardly facing surface of the daughterboard1324 is the optical finger navigation (OFN) module 961 (see FIG. 9,supra) for tracking rotation of the outer ring 912. By way of example,the OFN module 961 can be an ADBS-A350 OFN Sensor available from AvagoTechnologies. Mounted on an inwardly facing surface of the daughterboard1324, and rising substantially above the plane of the head unit PCB1154, is a first temperature sensor 1330. Mounted on the surface of thehead unit PCB 1154 is a second temperature sensor 1332, along with anearby ambient light sensor (ALS) module 1320. The temperature sensors1330 and 1332 can each be, for example, a TMP112 Digital TemperatureSensor available from Texas Instruments.

Head unit PCB further includes, inside the RF shielding 1156, batterycharging circuitry 1334, preferably including an LTC4085-4 chipavailable from Linear Technologies Corporation, or other devices orcircuitry that provides equivalent functionality and advantages. TheLTC4085-4 is a USB power manager and Li-Ion/Polymer battery charger chiporiginally developed for portable battery-powered applications. Headunit PCB 1154 further includes main power management circuitry 1336including DC/DC step-down conversion and voltage regulation circuitry.Head unit PCB 1154 further includes piezoelectric driving circuitry 1345for actuating a piezoelectric buzzer that is mounted on a bottom surfaceof a top lid of the RF shielding 1156, for providing optional audiblesounds such as a “tick” sound responsive to user ring rotations. Headunit PCB 1154 further includes display backlight voltage generationcircuitry 1338.

Slotted openings 1351 and 1353 are provided in the head unit PCB 1154 tofacilitate mechanical assembly including providing space for ribboncables, such as a ribbon cable that runs from the back side of head unitPCB 1154 to the LCD module 1162 (see FIG. 11A, supra). Two RF antennae(not shown) are provided in the head unit PCB 1154, the antennae runningalongside the respective slotted openings 1351 and 1353.

In addition to physical divisions within the thermostat that simplifythe installation process, the thermostat may also be dividedfunctionally between the head unit and the backplate. FIG. 14illustrates a simplified functional block diagram 1400 for a head unit,according to one embodiment. The functions embodied by block diagram1400 are largely self-explanatory, and may be implemented using one ormore processing functions. As used herein, the term “processingfunction” may refer to any combination of hardware and/or software. Forexample, a processing function may include a microprocessor, amicrocontroller, distributed processors, a lookup table, digital logic,logical/arithmetic functions implemented in analog circuitry, and/or thelike. A processing function may also be referred to as a processingsystem, a processing circuit, or simply a circuit.

In this embodiment, a processing function on the head unit may beimplemented by an ARM processor. The head unit processing function mayinterface with the electronic display 1402, an audio system 1404, and amanipulation sensor 1406 as a part of a user interface 1408. The headunit processing function may also facilitate wireless communications1410 by interfacing with various wireless modules, such as a Wi-Fimodule 1412 and/or a ZigBee-style module 1414. Furthermore, the headunit processing function may be configured to control the corethermostat operations 1416, such as operating the HVAC system. The headunit processing function may further be configured to determine or senseoccupancy 1418 of a physical location, and to determine buildingcharacteristics 1420 that can be used to determine time-to-temperaturecharacteristics. Using the occupancy sensing 1418, the processingfunction on the head unit may also be configured to learn and manageoperational schedules 1422, such as diurnal heat and cooling schedules.A power management module 1462 may be used to interface with acorresponding power management module on the backplate and/or base unit,the rechargeable battery, and a power control circuit 1464.

Additionally, the head unit processing function may include and/or becommunicatively coupled to one or more memories. The one or morememories may include one or more sets of instructions that cause theprocessing function to operate as described above. The one or morememories may also include a sensor history and global state objects1424. The one or more memories may be integrated with the processingfunction, such as a flash memory or RAM memory available on manycommercial microprocessors. The head unit processing function may alsoinclude a cloud management interface 1426 configured to interface with acloud management system, and may also operate to conserve energy and/orfacilitate gaming 1428 wherever appropriate. An interface 1432 to abackplate processing function 1430 may also be included, and may beimplemented using a hardware connector.

One particularly advantageous feature of the head unit is its ability tooperate with different types of backplates. For example, the head unitdescribed above can be coupled with a backplate that is configured toaccept wire connections from a forced air HVAC system. The head unit canbe coupled to a backplate that accepts connections from an HVAC systemcomprising an air conditioner, a humidifier, a forced air heatingsystem, a radiant flooring system, and/or the like. This particularbackplate may also be configured to harvest power from an HVAC system bystealing power from an HVAC call relay wire. Additionally oralternatively, the backplate may be configured to operate using a common“C” wire from the HVAC system.

In the intelligent thermostat system for boiler-based systems, the headunit can be coupled to a backplate that is simpler than the backplatedescribed above for forced air HVAC systems. FIGS. 15A-15B illustratefront and rear perspective views of a backplate 1500 of an intelligentthermostat, according to some embodiments. FIGS. 15A-15B only illustratethe external form factor and features of the backplate 1500; theinternal circuitry and functional operational are described below. Toprovide for easy installation, the backplate 1500 may include wireinsertion points 1506 configured to receive a two-wire connection fromthe base unit. In this embodiment, screws 1508 may be used to securewires into the insertion points 1506 after they are inserted. Screws maybe advantageous because the wires inserted into the insertion points1506 will typically be from an old installation. Therefore, these wireswill generally be large gauge wires that were suitable for carrying 220VAC. In other embodiments, mechanical insertion devices may include afinger-pressable tab that allows wire to be inserted when pressed andsecures the wire therein when released. During installation, the usercan slide the exposed wires through the opening 1516 in the center ofthe backplate 1500, insert the wires into the insertion points 1506, andsecure the wires using the screws 1508. A groove 1502 is formed in theback of the backplate and configured to allow the wires to run throughthe groove 1502 from the insertion points 1506 and out the bottom sideof the backplate 1500 such that the backplate 1500 can be mounted flushto a wall.

After installation of the wires connecting the backplate 1500 to thebase unit, the backplate 1500 can be mounted to, for example, a wall ofthe enclosure. The backplate 1500 can be mounted through screw holes1504 on the sides of the backplate 1500. The opening for the screw holes1504 on the front side of the backplate 1500 (FIG. 15A) may be largeenough to accommodate a mounting screw head. In contrast, the openingfor the screw holes 1504 in the backside of the backplate 1500 (FIG.15B) may be tapered, or shelved to catch the mounting screw head.Additionally, the screw holes 1504 may be vertically oversized oroval-shaped, such that once the screws are inserted into the screw holes1504 and partially screwed into the wall, the backplate 1500 can stillbe rotated around a center axis in order to ensure a level installation.A bubble level 1514 is built into the backplate 1500 such that a usercan visually determine when the backplate 1500 is correctly mounted tothe wall.

In some installations, the backplate 1500 will not be connected to abase unit via a wired connection. Therefore, the base unit cannotprovide power to the backplate 1500 through the insertion points 1506.In order to receive power, the backplate 1500 can include a USB port1507 that can accept a micro USB connector that provides power to thebackplate 1500 and head unit. The micro USB connector can be wired to aUSB power converter brick that is well-known in the art, which can inturn be inserted into a traditional AC outlet. As with the two-wireinstallation, the wire for the USB connector can be routed through thegroove 1502 in the backside of the backplate 1500.

Once the backplate 1500 is mounted to the wall, the head unit can beconnected to the backplate. Connecting the backplate 1500 to the headunit can include connecting a connector on the head unit (shown in FIG.10B) to a connector 1510 on the backplate 1500. The connector 1510 cancommunicate between microprocessors on the backplate 1500 andmicroprocessors in the head unit, as well as provide power from thebackplate to the head unit to operate circuitry or charge therechargeable battery. Connecting the backplate 1500 to the head unit canalso include a physical connection using recesses 1512 in the backplate1500 to accept corresponding tabs in the head unit. The tab connectioncan provide an additional mechanical resistance to separating the headunit from the backplate 1500.

FIG. 16 illustrates exploded front and rear perspective views,respectively, of a backplate 1500 of an intelligent thermostat,according to some embodiments. The backplate 1500 comprises a backplaterear plate 1602, a backplate circuit board 1604, and a backplate cover1606. Visible in FIG. 16 are base unit wire connectors 1608 that caninclude integrated mechanical wire insertion sensing circuitry, andcapacitors 1610 that are used by part of the power management circuitrythat is mounted on the backplate circuit board 1604. According to someembodiments, backplate circuit board 1604 includes a microcontroller,and various functional support and power electronics. For someembodiments, the backplate circuit board 1604 further contains atemperature/humidity sensor integrated together in a common IC chip.Wire connectors 1608 are provided to allow for connection to the baseunit wires, which pass though the large central circular opening 1516when the backplate unit 1500 is mounted to the wall. Also visible inFIG. 16 are the two mounting holes 1504 for use in fixing the backplateto the wall. The vertically extended mounting holes 1504, together withan integrated bubble level 1514 facilitate leveling during installationwithout requiring an external leveling gauge, thereby further enhancingthe ease of a non-expert installation of the intelligent thermostat. Thebackplate circuit board 1604 is shaped such that the mounting screws canpass through the mounting holes 1504 without interfering with thebackplate circuit board 1604. For example, the edges of the backplatecircuit board 1604 can be trimmed such that the backplate circuit board1604 is narrower than the backplate as illustrated in FIG. 16. Thisboard shape not only facilitates coupling of the backplate 1500 to awall but also improves the antenna radiation pattern from the head unitand saves cost by reducing the PCB board area. A detailed description ofthe backplate circuit board 1604 and the functions performed thereby areincluded below.

FIG. 17 illustrates an aerial view of a backplate circuit board 1604 fora backplate of an intelligent thermostat, according to some embodiments.The backplate circuit board 1604 comprises a backplateprocessor/microcontroller 1716 that is responsible for generallyorchestrating the operation of the backplate, including controlling andpolling most of the environmental sensors of the intelligent thermostatsystem. The backplate processor/microcontroller 1716 may comprise, forexample, an ST Micro STM32L151VB microcontroller unit that includes anultra-low-power ARM 32-bit Cortex-M3 CPU, 128 Kbytes of flash memory, 16kB of RAM, and various other components such as direct memory accesscontrollers, analog to digital converters, input/output ports,communication interfaces, and so forth for achieving the describedfunctionalities.

To maximize the amount of time for which the relatively high-poweredhead unit processor can remain in a low-power sleep state, therelatively low-powered backplate processor/microcontroller 1716 maycontrol and poll not only the sensors contained in the backplate 1500,but also control and poll most of the sensors contained in the headunit. For one embodiment, in addition to controlling and polling atemperature/humidity sensor chip 1718 contained on the backplate circuitboard 1604, the backplate processor/microcontroller 1716 can alsocontrol and poll any or all sensors contained in the head unit with thepossible exception of the optical finger navigation (OFN) module in someembodiments. As such, the backplate processor/microcontroller 1716controls and polls the following components of the head unit: the firsttemperature sensor, the second temperature sensor, the ambient lightsensor (ALS), the forward-facing (occupancy detecting) PIR detector, andthe diagonally-downward-facing (proximity detecting) PIR detector.Electrical connectivity between the backplate processor/microcontroller1716 and the subject head unit sensors is achieved using a 20-pinconnector 1710, along with one or more port expanders on the head unitcircuit board, by which the electrical connections are established whenthe head unit is mated to the backplate. Backplate circuit board 1604may further comprise a timing crystal chip 1720 that may provide, forexample, a 32.768 kHz signal that may be used by the backplateprocessor/microcontroller 1716 for timing reference purposes. In otherembodiments, an internal oscillator in the backplateprocessor/microcontroller 1716 may be used instead of the timing crystalchip 1720. The backplate processor/microcontroller 1716 performs, inaddition to the controlling and polling of the various sensors, sensingfor mechanical wire insertion at installation, alerting the head unitregarding current vs. setpoint temperature conditions, and otherfunctions such as looking for appropriate signals on the inserted HVACwires at installation and thereafter.

Backplate circuit board 1604 further comprises the combinedtemperature/humidity sensor chip 1718 positioned near a lower peripherythereof. The temperature/humidity sensor chip 1718 can comprise, by wayof example and not by way of limitation, a Sensirion SHT20 module.Thermal isolation of the temperature/humidity sensor chip 1718 from therest of the backplate circuit board 1604 is facilitated by virtue of athrough-hole 1722. Further disposed on the backplate circuit board 1604in an arcuate arrangement neararound a peripheral portion of the centercutout wire connectors 1706 that may include integrated mechanical wireinsertion sensing capability in some embodiments.

In backplate circuit boards used to directly control the HVAC functionsin intelligent thermostats used in countries such as the United States,encapsulated transformer/diode circuits can be used fortransformer-based isolation of the control and logic circuitry from theHVAC connection and switching circuitry. Disposed on the back side ofthe backplate circuit board (not shown) are field effect transistor(FET) switches (not shown) that perform the HVAC switching functionalityand that are electrically disposed on the isolated HVAC connection andswitching circuitry side of the transformer/diode circuits (not shown).The FET switches perform, inter alia, the basic closing and openingbetween the requisite HVAC terminals according to the desired HVACfunction. One or more of the FET switches (not shown) are alsojudiciously configured and controlled to facilitate power stealingduring active HVAC cycles for circumstances in which there is no“C-wire” available to power the thermostat. The use of FETs in theswitching circuitry allows for active power stealing, i.e., taking powerduring the HVAC ON cycle, by briefly diverting power from the HVAC relaycircuit to the reservoir capacitors for a very small interval, such as100 micro-seconds. This time is small enough not to trip the HVAC relayinto the OFF state but is sufficient to charge up the reservoircapacitors. The use of FETs allows for this fast switching time (100micro-seconds), which would be difficult to achieve using relays (whichstay on for tens of milliseconds). Also, such relays would readilydegrade with fast switching, and they would also make audible noise. Incontrast, the FETs operate with essentially no audible noise.

In the backplate circuit board 1604 illustrated in FIG. 17, the HVACswitching circuitry and power stealing circuitry described in theprevious paragraph can be omitted. Because power is provided directly toboth power the thermostat and charge the rechargeable battery, no powerstealing circuitry is required. If power is provided from an externalsource, such as the base unit (describe below) or the micro USBconnector 1702, the power will be in the form of a constant DC voltage.Additionally, the backplate circuit board 1604 is configured to operatewith a base unit, and the HVAC interaction and switching circuitrydescribed above can be moved from the backplate circuit board 1604 tothe base unit as will be described below.

Power can be received from a micro-USB connector 1702, such as the molexmicro-USB B receptacle, with mid-mount and through hole solder tab(Molex 47642-1001). Additionally or alternatively, DC power can bereceived from the base unit through the wire connectors 1706.

Backplate circuit board 1604 further comprises various other DC-powerregulation circuitry for providing power that is used by the backplateprocessor/microcontroller 1716, the environmental sensors controlledthereby, the various other backplate circuit board components, and forproviding a DC power rail voltage (e.g., 4.4 VDC) that is input to thebattery charging circuitry of the head unit. Such DC-power generationcircuitry includes, for example, bootstrap and primary LDO circuitry.

Bridge rectifier circuitry 1704 may include, for example, a 0.5 A SBRbridge super barrier rectifier (Diodes Inc.® part no. SBR05M100BLP),such that the user need not be concerned with matching wires between thewire connector 2010-3 at the base unit 2000 (FIG. 22) with thecorresponding wire connectors 1706 on the backplate 1500. A high-voltagebuck converter circuit 1712 may use, for example, a 3-17 V 0.5 Astep-down converter (e.g., TPS62170 from Texas Instruments®) forgenerating a converted voltage output, such as 4.704 V nominal output. Alow dropout (LDO) regulator circuit mounted on the back side of thebackplate circuit board 1604 (not shown) may utilize, for example, aRicoh three mode 150 mA regulator with reverse current protection(R1163x Series and/or R1191x series) to filter the output of thehigh-voltage buck converter circuit 1712 and generate, for example, a4.4 V output. A similar LDO regulator circuit 1714 may utilize similarcomponents to generate a regulated power supply for the backplateprocessor/microcontroller 1716. The backplate circuit board 1604 mayfurther comprise wired communications circuitry for communicating withthe base unit (described below), a slew rate limiting circuit, bootstrapand primary LDO circuitry, a sensor power control circuit that allowsthe backplate processor/microcontroller 1716 to power cycle all of thesensors, a reset and boot loading circuit, and a debug connectioncircuit 1708 to allow JTAG/UART programming.

FIG. 18 illustrates a simplified functional block diagram for abackplate processor/microcontroller 1716, according to some embodiments.Using an interface 1836 that is matched to the interface 1432 shown inFIG. 14, the backplate processor/microcontroller 1716 can communicatewith the head unit processing functions. The backplateprocessor/microcontroller 1716 can include wire insertion sensing 1840that is coupled to external circuitry 1842 configured to provide signalsbased on different wire connection states and wiring configurations.

The backplate processor/microcontroller 1716 may also include a sensorpolling interface 1848 to interface with a plurality of sensors. In thisparticular embodiment, the plurality of sensors may include temperaturesensors, a humidity sensor, PIR sensors, a proximity sensor, an ambientlight sensor, and or other sensors not specifically listed. This list isnot meant to be exhaustive. Other types of sensors may be used dependingon the particular embodiment and application, such as sound sensors,flame sensors, smoke detectors, and/or the like. The sensor pollinginterface 1848 may be communicatively coupled to a sensor reading memory1850. The sensor reading memory 1850 can store sensor readings and maybe located internally or externally to a microcontroller ormicroprocessor.

Finally, the backplate processing function can include a powermanagement unit 1860 that is used to control various digital and/oranalog components integrated with the backplate and used to manage thepower system of the thermostat. Although one having skill in the artwill recognize many different implementations of a power managementsystem, the power management system of this particular embodiment caninclude the functions described above in relation to FIG. 17, such as abootstrap regulator, a buck converter, a battery controller, and/orvarious voltage regulation circuits.

Having described the connection between the head unit and the backplate,the intelligent thermostat can be assembled and powered as describedabove. For convenience during installation and operation, multipleinstallation configurations are possible depending upon the particulartype of enclosure, the preference of the homeowner, and/or the conditionof existing thermostat circuitry within the enclosure. FIGS. 19A-19Cillustrate different installation configurations of an intelligentthermostat, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 19A illustrates an installation configuration utilizing existingthermostat wires connected to a programmer and/or boiler system. Whenupgrading an existing thermostat with the intelligent thermostat 1902, awire connection 1904 may already run through the walls of the enclosure.When installing the intelligent thermostat 1902, the same two wires usedin the wire connection 1904 may be used to connect the intelligentthermostat 1902 to the base unit near the boiler system. In thisconfiguration, the 220 VAC main power line supply may be converted bythe base unit into DC power and provided to the intelligent thermostat1902 through the wired connection 1904. Additionally, the wireconnection 1904 may be used to communicate information between the baseunit and the intelligent thermostat 1902.

Additionally or alternatively, the intelligent thermostat 1902 may use awireless connection to communicate with the base unit. In someembodiments, the wired connection 1904 may be considered a primaryconnection, while the wireless connection may be used as a backupconnection. Various configurations are possible. In one embodiment, boththe wired connection 1904 and the wireless connection may operate inparallel transmitting the same information. In another embodiment, thewired connection may be active during times when the wireless connectionis unavailable, for example due to interference, low-power situations,or situations where the intelligent thermostat 1902 is out of wirelessrange for the radio. In another embodiment, the wired connection 1904may transmit signals that determine when the boiler should supply heatedwater/steam to the area monitored by the intelligent thermostat 1902,while the wireless connection transmits more advanced diagnosticinformation, such as user occupancy patterns, collocated schedules,and/or the like for storage or analysis in the base unit. The base unitmay also communicate information back to the thermostat, such aswireless signal strength, input power, relay state, temperature, timesince last successful RF communication, number of onboard power cyclessince last successful RF communication, and/or other diagnostic data.

In some embodiments, the intelligent thermostat may include a firstradio and a second radio. The first radio may be configured for highdata rate communications, such as those that take place with a localWi-Fi network. The second radio may be configured for relatively lowdata rate communications, such as communications between the thermostatand the base unit. The second radio may be compatible with the IEEE802.15.4 standard and may use a ZigBee protocol or a similar protocol.The second radio on the thermostat may be compatible with a third radioon the base unit that is also configured for relatively low data ratecommunications. While the second radio is communicating control signalsfor the boiler system to the third radio on the base unit, the firstradio may transmit auxiliary communications to a local Wi-Fi network.For example, the first radio may transmit sensor data, occupancy data,user commands, and other such auxiliary information to a cloud-basedserver or network.

FIG. 19B illustrates a second installation configuration where theintelligent thermostat 1902 is mounted to the wall of the enclosure, butpower is provided through an outlet power brick 1906 to the intelligentthermostat 1902 via, e.g., the micro USB connector of the intelligentthermostat 1902. In this case, no wired connection exists to the baseunit, so the intelligent thermostat 1902 can instead communicate withthe base unit using a wireless connection.

FIG. 19C illustrates a third installation configuration where theintelligent thermostat 1902 is not mounted to a wall of the enclosure,but is instead mounted to an intelligent thermostat stand 1908. Theintelligent thermostat stand 1908 may be set on a desk, countertop,table, bookshelf, and/or the like, such that no permanent mounting needsto take place on the wall of the enclosure. Power may be providedthrough an outlet power brick 1906 through, e.g., the micro USBconnector of the backplate.

Turning now to a detailed description of the base unit, FIGS. 20A-20Billustrate front and rear views of a base unit 2000 of an intelligentthermostat system, according to some embodiments. The base unit 2000 mayinclude a front cover 2002 that is designed to both protect the internalcircuitry and provide for a sleek and elegant visual appearance that canblend in with its surroundings. The front cover 2002 hides the internalcomplexity of the base unit 2000 in order to provide users with acomforting interface that can inspire confidence and user-friendliness,as well as isolate the user from the high-voltage wires beneath.

In some embodiments, at least one external control may be accessiblethrough the front cover 2002. For example, a button 2004 may be providedsuch that a user can easily provide a limited set of commands to thebase unit 2000 without a programming interface. The button 2004 may belarge such that is easily identifiable, and may include a logo ortrademark of a manufacturer, such as “Nest.” The button 2004 may includea “click” mechanism such that the user can readily determine whendepressing the button 2004 has registered a command to the internalcircuits of the base unit 2000.

The button 2004 may be used to provide a plurality of commands. In orderto immediately call for heat regardless of the temperature, schedule,and/or commands from the intelligent thermostat, a user can depress thebutton 2004. This can close internal relays of the base unit andactivate the boiler system such that heated water/steam is circulatedthroughout radiators in the enclosure. Similarly, a second depression ofthe button 2004 can deactivate a call for heat, regardless of whetherthe original heating command was provided from the button 2004 or fromthe intelligent thermostat. Additionally, pressing button 2004 andholding it for a duration, such as 3 seconds, 5 seconds, or 10 seconds,may be used to reset the internal circuitry of the base unit 2000 incases where the user believes a software malfunction has occurred. Insome embodiments, other input patterns with button 2004 may be used,such as double-clicks, triple clicks, etc. and button depressionslasting for varying time intervals. These additional input patterns mayprovide commands that cause the base unit 2002 to wirelessly pair withan intelligent thermostat, commands the cause the base unit 2000 to callfor heat for a specified period of time, and/or any other commands thatwould normally be provided from the intelligent thermostat.

The front cover 2002 can connect to a back cover 2006 of the base unit2000. The base unit can be mounted flush to the boiler, to a wall nearthe boiler, and/or to any other surface in proximity to the boiler.Alternatively, the base unit 2000 may be placed on a surface inproximity to the boiler. The base unit 2000 may be mounted through screwholes 2008 that are visible through the back of the back cover 2006, yetcovered by the front cover 2002. The front cover 2002 may be coupled tothe rest of the base unit 2000 by way of tabs near the top of the frontcover 2002 (not shown), and secured in place using a screw mechanism2003.

FIG. 21 illustrates an exploded front perspective view of a base unit2000 of an intelligent thermostat system, according to some embodiments.In this embodiment, the base unit 2000 may be comprised of the frontcover 2002, the back cover 2006, a body 2018, the button 2004, and abase unit circuit board 2016. Like the front cover 2002, the body 2018may be constructed using a molded plastic that exposes an interface forconnecting wires to/from the boiler system as well as wires to/from theintelligent thermostat. The wires may enter through gaps in the bottomof the front cover 2002 and the body 2018 and may be held in place byscrew-down clamps 2012 to prevent wire slippage or accidentaldisconnection. The body 2018 may also include cutouts through which thewires may be inserted as well as cutouts 2014 through which a user cansecure the wires using a screwdriver into the wire insertion terminals2010 on the base unit circuit board 2016. The body 2018 may includelabels for each of the terminals. The labels may be printed, etched,and/or integrated into the body of the molded plastic. The body 2018 mayalso include recesses through which the screw holes 2008 may beaccessed. As will be apparent in FIG. 21, the entirety of the base unitmay be assembled with the exception of the front cover 2002. Thisassembly can be mounted to a surface through the screw holes 2008, afterwhich the front cover 2002 can be secured to the rest of the base unit2000.

The button 2004 may be accessible through a recess 2020 in the body 2018of the base unit 2000. Next to the button 2004, a light pipe 2056 maydirect light from an LED 2030 such that light emitted from the LED isvisible through the front cover 2002. The button 2004 may also bemechanically adjacent to a corresponding button 2022 on the base unitcircuit board 2016 such that depressing the button 2004 actuates thebutton 2022 on the base unit circuit board 2016. The base unit circuitboard 2016 may include circuitry for switching and/or connecting HVACfunctions associated with the boiler system, processor circuitry,wireless and wired communications circuitry, and wire insertionterminals 2010. The base unit circuit board 2016 will be described ingreater detail below. The base unit circuit board 2016 can be secured tothe back cover 2006 through screw holes in the base unit circuit board2016, and the body 2018 and button 2004 can be secured to the back cover2006. As described above, the front cover 2002 can be secured to thebody 2018 using a combination of the tabs 2024 at the top of the body2018 and a screw mechanism (not visible) at the bottom of the body 2018.

FIG. 22 illustrates a front view of a base unit circuit board 2016 of abase unit 2000, according to some embodiments. As will be described ingreater detail below, the base unit circuit board 2016 may receive 220VAC power from the mains power line of the enclosure. Wire connector2010-1 may receive the “N” and “L” wires from the mains power line. Wireconnector 2010-3 may receive the two-wire connection to the intelligentthermostat, if available. Wire connector 2010-2 may receive thesatisfied, common, and call-for-heat wires that are connected to theboiler or zone controllers. Wire connectors 2010 may be configured suchthat they may receive physical wires that can be secured by a screw-down(or other) clamping mechanism.

The base unit circuit board 2016 may also include a button 2022 that caninterface with the button 2004 accessible through the front cover 2002.For example, the button 2004 may be a 4.2 mm×3.2 mm×2.5 mm tactileswitch available from Alps (SKRPABE010). The base unit circuit board2016 may also include a power regulation circuit 2202 that is configuredto take the 220 VAC line power input and convert it to DC voltagelevels. In this embodiment, a flyback converter may be a suitableconverter type for these power levels, although other suitableconverters may alternatively be used. As will be understood by onehaving skill in the art, a flyback converter includes a first phase thatcharges up a storage element and a second phase that converts power fromthe storage element into a regulated DC voltage. Many different flybackconverter designs are possible. One particular flyback converter designimplemented in an embodiment uses a transformer (T1), multiple inductors(L1, L2, L12, etc.) for filtering and emissions reduction, multiplestorage capacitors (C2, C3, C5, C6, etc.), and a high-performance AC/DCcontroller designed to drive an external power bipolar junctiontransistor (BJT) for peak mode flyback power supplies, such as theiW1707 digital controller available from iWatt®. Additionally, the powerregulation circuit 2202 may include DC conversion circuits and filteringcircuits configured to provide the DC voltage for the wired connectionto the intelligent thermostat through the wire connectors 2010-3 as wellas power for the base unit microcontroller and radio. This may include a4.4 V converter, a 1.8 V buck converter (e.g., TPS62170 available fromTexas Instruments®), one or more single slew rate controlled loadswitches (e.g., AP 2281 from Diodes Inc.®), a 6LoWPAN Pi Filter, and a6LoWPAN FEM load switch. The base unit circuit board 2016 may alsoinclude a USB connector 2204 (e.g., Molex 105133-0031). The USBconnector 2204 can be used to program the base unitprocessor/microcontroller 2206 and/or base unit radio 2208, and powerthe associated circuitry during such programming.

The base unit processor/microcontroller 2206 may be any availablemicrocontroller or microprocessor. For example, in this embodiment, thebase unit processor/microcontroller 2206 uses a 32-bit microcontrollerbased on the ARM Cortex-M4 core which includes high-speed USB 2.0, flashmemory, and integrated ADC, such as the Kinetis K60 family ofmicrocontrollers from Freescale Semiconductor. The base unitprocessor/microcontroller 2206 may be programmed through a JTAG/UARTdebug ZIF connector. Additionally, the base unit circuit board 2016 mayinclude a radio 2208 in order to establish wireless communications withthe radio in the head unit of the intelligent thermostat. For example,the base unit circuit board 2016 may include a wireless integrated802.15.4 compatible radio, such as the EM357 chip available from SiliconLabs®. The radio 2208 may operate in conjunction with a wireless frontend module 2210, such as the SE2432L RF front end module by Skyworks®.In order to isolate the digital noise from the base unitprocessor/microcontroller 2206, and to isolate RF noise generated by theradio 2208 and front end module 2210, the base unit circuit board 2016may include metal shielding 2220 around each of these components. Thebase unit may also include one or more temperature sensor, which maycomprise a discrete thermistor, a thermocouple, and/or an integratedcircuit. The temperature sensor(s) may or may not include an integratedhumidity sensor. The temperature sensor(s) may be integrated into amicrocontroller or radio IC. A temperature measured by the temperaturesensor(s) may be reported back to the head unit periodically and/or uponthe occurrence of an anomalous condition.

The radio communications may operate using an IEEE 802.15.4 protocolcompliant communication scheme. In some embodiments, the ZigBeestandard, which is built on top of the IEEE 802.15.4 protocol, may beused in communication. In one embodiment, a proprietary communicationscheme may be used that is built on top of the IEEE 802.15.4 protocolyet avoids the ZigBee-specific features. For example, the “Thread”protocol developed by Nest Labs, Inc., of Palo Alto, Calif. may be usedfor wireless communication between the base unit and the intelligentthermostat as described in U.S. Ser. No. 13/926,312 (Ref. No.NES0310-US), supra. This particular communication protocol requires thatthe radio 2208 in the base unit be paired with the radio in theintelligent thermostat. This pairing may be done before the intelligentthermostat system is sold to a consumer. The pairing may also be doneafter installation using an electronic device interface such as a smartphone interface, the button 2004 on the backplate, and/or any of the USBterminals on the intelligent thermostat or base unit. In someembodiments, a mixed protocol may be used that utilizes the “Thread”communication scheme but also operates as a mixed protocol where paireddevices can also communicate with a larger network of smart homedevices.

The base unit circuit board 2016 also includes a pair of diversityantennas 2212. In this particular embodiment, the diversity antennas2212 are made of a raised, stamped metal that sits above the base unitcircuit board 2016. It is been discovered by the inventors that mountingthe base unit 2000 directly to a boiler often involves mounting the baseunit 2002 to a large piece of sheet metal. The sheet metal of the boileroften causes interference with antenna reception. Therefore, thediversity antennas 2212 were raised off the circuit board in order toprevent this type of interference and improve the radiation pattern. Theraised nature of the diversity antennas 2212 can be seen in FIG. 21.Note that the diversity antennas 2212 are oriented with one 90° rotatedfrom the other. If one of the diversity antennas 2212 does not receive asignal clearly, the other of the diversity antennas 2212 should havebetter reception based on this antenna orientation. The base unitcircuit board 2016 may include a large ground plane within a layer ofthe base unit circuit board 2016 located behind the diversity antennas2212 in order to increase their performance.

In order to interface with the boiler system, a relatively large relaycircuit is used to make connections between the satisfied, common, andcall-for-heat wire connections. A power PCB relay 2222, such as theRTB7D012 available from Tyco Electronics® can be used in conjunctionwith an inductive load driver, such as the NUD3124 from OnSemiconductor® to selectively make connections between these wireconnections. The power PCB relay 2222 may operate with the regulated 12VDC output from the flyback converter.

Having described the physical assembly, the circuit components, and thefunctional operation of the base unit, the various wiring configurationsfor coupling the base unit to a boiler system will now be described.FIG. 23 illustrates a terminal wiring diagram of a base unit, accordingto some embodiments. The base unit may include seven wire connectors.The neutral connector 2308 and live connector 2310 may generally be usedto connect a power supply for the base unit 2302, such as the flybackconverter described above, to a 220 VAC mains power line protected by 3Afuse. Various configurations may also connect the neutral connector 2308and/or the live connector 2310 to a corresponding input on the boilersystem.

A second bank of wire connectors may include a satisfied connector 2312,a common connector 2314, and a call-for-heat connector 2316. Each ofthese three wire connectors 2312, 2314, 2316, may be coupled to the baseunit relay 2304, which may correspond to the power PCB relay 2222described above. The base unit relay 2304 may short the common connector2314 to the satisfied connector 2312, the common connector 2314 to thecall-for-heat connector 2316, and/or open connections between thesethree wire connectors 2312, 2314, 2316.

A third set of wire connectors may include a pair of connectors 2318that provide power from the base unit to the intelligent thermostat. Ininstallations where a wired connection exists or can be installedbetween the base unit and the intelligent thermostat, the wires may beinserted into the pair of connectors 2318 at the base unit and thecorresponding wire insertion points on the intelligent thermostatbackplate. The power supply for the thermostat 2306 may come from theregulated power supply in the base unit and provide, for example, 12 VDCto the intelligent thermostat. Note that in installations where no wiresare present, the pair of connectors 2318 can remain unconnected.

FIG. 24 illustrates a wiring diagram for a boiler 2402 with switchedlive activation, according to some embodiments. In this configuration,the boiler 2402 is activated by simply applying power to the neutral andlive inputs of the boiler 2402. The base unit can be used to control theswitched live activation of the boiler 2402 by using the relay 2408 toconnect the live input from the mains power supply to the live input ofthe boiler 2402. For example, the live mains power line can be connectedto the common input of the base unit and the call-for-heat output of thebase unit can be connected to the live input of the boiler 2402, suchthat using the relay 2408 to connect the common input to thecall-for-heat input will activate the boiler. In some configurations,“activating the boiler” can mean that the boiler begins to circulatepreheated water/steam throughout the enclosure. In other configurations,“activating the boiler” can include both commands to circulatewater/steam through the enclosure as well as begin heating thewater/steam.

Note that in this configuration, as well as the other configurationsthat will be discussed below, the neutral and live mains power lines areconnected to the neutral and live inputs of the base unit. This providesinput power to the flyback converter of the base unit that is used topower the base unit and converted into DC voltages to power the othercomponents of the intelligent thermostat system. Additionally, each ofthese configurations may connect the two terminals (T1, T2) to thebackplate of the intelligent thermostat 2406 to provide power and/orcommunications if such wires are present.

FIG. 25 illustrates a wiring diagram for a boiler 2402 withvolt-free/dry contact activation, according to some embodiments. Thiswiring configuration is similar to that of FIG. 24, except that theboiler 2402 always receives a live power connection and is activatedusing a second set of terminals. Similar to the base unit, the boiler2402 receives a direct connection to the neutral and live mains powerlines. In order to activate the second set of terminals (labeled “1” and“2” on the boiler 2402), the relay 2408 of the base unit can selectivelyopen and close a connection between the common connector and thecall-for-heat connector that are wired to the second set of terminals onthe boiler 2402.

FIG. 26 illustrates a diagram of an intelligent thermostat systemconnected to a zone valve of a boiler-based heating system, according tosome embodiments. The wiring configurations of FIGS. 24-25 illustratedboilers that were controlled by an intelligent thermostat without usingindependent valve controls for different heating zones within theenclosure. A zone valve 2602 controls the flow of heated water/steam toa particular radiator or set of radiators within the enclosure. A baseunit 2606 and intelligent thermostat 2608 combination can be wired toeach zone valve 2602 to independently control the temperature in eachzone of the enclosure. In some cases, the base unit 2606 may be wireddirectly to the zone valve 2602. In other cases, the base unit 2606 canbe connected to the zone valve 2602 through a junction box 2604 thatprovides for easier installation.

FIG. 27 illustrates a wiring diagram for a boiler 2402 with one or morezone valves, according to some embodiments. In this configuration, theintelligent thermostat system is connected to a zone valve 2702 thatcontrols whether heated water/steam should flow to a particular zone inthe enclosure and controls the power provided to the boiler 2402. Thelive wire from the main power supply may be connected to the commonterminal of the base unit relay 2408. When the intelligent thermostatcalls for heat, the base unit relay 2408 will connect the commonterminal to the call-for-heat terminal activating motor 2704 in the zonevalve 2702. The motor 2704 will drive a paddle or shoe to open to acentral position within the valve chamber. Heated water/steam is thenallowed to flow through the valve outlet port. Once power is removedfrom the motor by the base unit relay 2408, a spring closes the valvestopping the heated water/steam flow. Additionally, the zone valve mayinclude a switch 2706 that energizes the boiler and pump when the valve2702 is open. The switch 2706 may be electrically isolated from themotor power supply in order to meet various building regulations thatprevent boiler firing when no heat demand exists.

FIG. 28 illustrates a wiring diagram for a boiler 2402 with one or moreMotor-On/Motor-Off (MOMO) zone valves, according to some embodiments. Incontrast to the zone valve 2702 in FIG. 27, a MOMO zone valve 2802requires motor actuation in order to open the valve as well as to closethe valve, i.e. there is no spring to force the paddle/shoe to stop theflow of heated water/steam. To connect the base unit to the boiler 2402and the MOMO zone valve 2802, the live wire from the main power sourcecan be connected to the common terminal of the base unit, while thesatisfied terminal of the base unit can be connected to the “motor off”terminal of the MOMO zone valve 2802, and the call-for-heat terminal ofthe base unit can be connected to the “motor on” terminal of the MOMOzone valve 2802. When the intelligent thermostat calls for heat, thebase unit relay 2408 can connect the live power line to the “motor on”terminal and thereby operate a motor 2804 to open the valve to allowheated water/steam to flow to the corresponding zone of the enclosure.This can also close a switch 2806 to activate the boiler 2402. In orderto stop heating, the base unit relay 2408 can instead connect the livepower line to the “motor off” terminal of the MOMO zone valve 2802, andthereby operate motor 2804 to cut off the flow of heated water/steam tothe corresponding zone of the enclosure.

As described above, the two-wire connection between the intelligentthermostat backplate and the base unit can be used to provide power,such as 12 VDC, from the base unit to the intelligent thermostat.Additionally, the two-wire connection between the base unit and thebackplate can also be used to communicate a call-for-heat command fromthe intelligent thermostat to the base unit. Special circuitry can beimplemented in the backplate to send voltage/current pulses to the baseunit to call for heat.

FIG. 29 illustrates a graph of a current pulse train that can be used toindicate a call-for-heat from the thermostat to the base unit, accordingto some embodiments. Current trace 2902 begins at a baseline currentthat is drawn from the base unit by the thermostat when the head unit isinactive and not charging the rechargeable battery. For example, thehead unit user interface may be off, the main processor may be in asleep mode, and no Wi-Fi transmissions may be taking place. When thethermostat calls for heat, it can begin sending a train of currentpulses to the base unit. As long as the base unit receives these currentpulses, the base unit will command the boiler and/or zone valves toprovide heat to an area of the enclosure governed by the thermostat. Thethermostat can then end the call for heat by stopping the current pulsetrain.

It will be understood by one having skill in the art that many differentsignaling methodologies may be used to transmit a signal through the twowire connection from the thermostat to the base unit. Using a currentpulse train is advantageous because small pulses may reduce the amountof heat generated by the thermostat and may reduce the power required bythe intelligent thermostat system as a whole. However, other embodimentsmay generate sinusoids, step functions, and/or any other type ofwaveform that could be detected by the base unit in order to effectivelycommunicate a call for heat. Therefore, the current pulse train ismerely exemplary and not meant to be limiting. It is also possible touse a variety of modulation/demodulation schemes to transmit informationacross the wire pair.

In order to reduce the self-heating effect of generating current pulses,each current pulse 2906 may have a relatively small duty cycle andwidth. For example, each current pulse 2906 could have a 1% duty cyclewith a 10 ms width. The rise and fall time on the edges 2908 can belarge enough to avoid EMI issues.

In FIG. 29, current trace 2904 begins at a baseline current that isdrawn from the base unit by the thermostat when the head unit is in ahigher state of activity. For example, the rechargeable battery can berecharging, the user interface can be activated, and/or a Wi-Fi burstmay be sent from the thermostat to a home LAN. In this case, thesteady-state level of current draw will be higher than when the headunit is in a lower state of activity. Note that the current waveformremains the same, but is shifted up by the amount of additional currentdrawn by the head unit. In particular, the shape of the current pulses2910 are the same as current pulses 2906. In order to detect currentpulses 2906 in the inactive state as well as current pulses 2910 in theactive state, a reference level 2912 can be chosen such the currentdrawn of the head unit in either the active state or the inactive stateduring normal operation will not trip the reference level 2912, whilethe current pulses 2906, 2910 in either state will trip the referencelevel 2912. Although not shown explicitly in FIG. 29, another embodimentmay allow the current draw of the head unit in the active state to crossthe reference level 2912. In order to detect the current pulses 2910,the circuitry may detect a sequence ofnegative-positive-negative-positive crossings of the reference level2912 with an expected timing pattern. To prevent needing to adjust thereference level 2904 and to prevent needing excessive energy whileproviding the pulse 2910 in the active state, a guard band can beinserted around each pulse where the current used by the head unit istemporarily limited. This would bring the current draw back down belowthe reference level 2912 during a time interval surrounding each pulse.The first negative crossing would signal the beginning of the guardband, the first positive and second negative crossings would signal therise and fall of the pulse, and the final positive crossing would signalthe end of the guard band.

FIG. 30 illustrates a circuit that may be used by the base unit todetect current pulses generated by the thermostat, according to someembodiments. The power output can exit through the two-wire connectionto the thermostat 3002 through an output circuit. The output circuit mayinclude ferrites 3004 for EMI and ESD filtering. A fuse 3006 can provideprotection for the internal circuitry and prevent damage from faults andmiswiring, and a fuse monitoring circuit 3008 can be used by the baseunit processor/microcontroller to monitor the fuse 3006. The power sentto the connection to the thermostat 3002 can be a DC volage/currentsourced by the flyback converter 3010.

In order to detect a train of current pulses signifying a call for heatfrom the thermostat, the base unit is able to detect when the thermostatdraws more current using a current shunt monitor 3012. The current shuntmonitor can be used to sense current changes across the shuntindependent of the supply voltage. In one embodiment the INA199 familyof current shunt monitors available from Texas Instruments® may be used.The output from the current shunt monitor 3012 can be fed into one ofthe ADC inputs of the base unit processor/microcontroller. A referencelevel can be established for the current shunt monitor 3012 usingresistors organized in series as a voltage divider 3014. By sampling theADC input, the MCU can then detect instances when the current pulsesoccur. If a differential ADC input stage is used, the output of currentshunt monitor 3012 will be measured relative to the reference set byvoltage divider 3014. This may prevent the amplifier from saturating atits negative input rail and allow accurate calibration and measurementof signals close to zero current. The microcontroller may set acomparator reference level in the ADC circuitry to provide an interruptwhen the level has been crossed.

FIG. 31 illustrates a graph of a circuit that may be used by thethermostat to generate current pulses, according to some embodiments.The communication circuit 3100 may be connected to the base unitterminals through a diode bridge input 3108. The gate of a power FET3104 may be controlled by an input 3110 from the backplateprocessor/microcontroller. The input 3110 will control when the currentpulses are generated by the communication circuit 3100. An LDO regulator3102, such as the Ricoh three mode 150 mA regulator with reverse currentprotection (e.g., R1163x Series and/or R1191x series) can be used togenerate a voltage 3112 that will run through one or more resistors 3106before reaching ground through the power FET 3104. When current pulsesare to be generated, the input 3110 at the gate of the power FET 3104can cause the power FET 3104 to conduct current to flow through the oneor more resistors 3106 to ground. The additional current draw caused byturning on the power FET 3104 will generate the current pulsesillustrated by FIG. 29. Note that the height of the current pulses aredetermined by the one or more resistors 3106 independent of the voltageprovided by the base unit, due to the operation of the LDO.Additionally, the heat generated by the current pulse will bedistributed between the one or more resistors 3106, the power FET 3104,and the LDO regulator 3102.

One having skill in the art will readily recognize that changing thecharacteristics of the pulses can be used to encode many different typesof information and messages from the thermostat to the base unit.Additionally, signaling circuitry could be placed in the base unit anddetection circuitry could be placed in the thermostat in order toachieve bidirectional communication on the power lines. The height ofthe current pulses may be set to a level that is not normally crossedduring regular operation in order to reduce false positive detections.The height of the current pulses may also be set to a level that isabove a noise level that is commonly experienced on the power lines. Insome embodiments, the thermostat may sample the characteristics of thecurrent on the power line and dynamically adjust the height of thecurrent pulses to be above the noise level while minimizing the powerdraw by the thermostat communications.

FIG. 32 illustrates a diagram of an intelligent thermostat having morethan one proximity sensor, according to some embodiments. Theintelligent thermostat 3200 includes an energy directing lens 3202configured to direct energy emitted or received by a first proximitydetector 3204 and/or a second proximity detector 3206. Proximitydetectors 3204, 3206 can be used by the intelligent thermostat 3200 todetect when a user is coming near the thermostat with the intent tointeract with the thermostat 3200. By detecting when a user intends tointeract with the thermostat 3200, the thermostat 3200 can react byactivating a display screen of user interface and activate otheradvanced features to positively affect the user experience.

However, users may often walk by the thermostat 3200 without intendingto interact with it. In these cases, it may be advantageous for thethermostat 3200 to remain inactive so as not to waste power or distracta user who walks by the thermostat 3200. In order to distinguish betweenusers who are simply near the thermostat and users who intend tointeract with the thermostat, the first proximity detector 3204 and thesecond proximity detector 3206 may be directed in different angles. Inthis embodiment, the first proximity detector 3204 may be angled towardsthe floor, while the second proximity detector 3006 may be directedoutward from the thermostat 3200.

FIG. 33 illustrates a diagram of a user intending to interact with thethermostat 3200, according to some embodiments. The user 3302 who walksby the thermostat may only be visible to the second proximity detectorthat is directed towards zone 3304, or “Zone A.” However, as the user3302 walks towards the thermostat 3200 with the intent to interact withthe thermostat 3200, the user 3302 will become visible to the firstproximity detector that is directed towards zone 3306, or “Zone B.” Oneor more of the processors in the intelligent thermostat 3200 can processthe inputs received by the first proximity sensor and the secondproximity sensor to establish a pattern or profile of users who intendto interact with the thermostat, and then react accordingly.

The dual proximity detector configuration described above works wellwhen the thermostat 3200 is mounted to a wall 3308 of the enclosure.Both proximity detectors are able to readily view the area directly infront of the intelligent thermostat 3200. However, when the thermostatis mounted on a stand and set on a desk, table, bookshelf, and/or thelike, as illustrated by FIG. 19C, the field of view for the firstproximity detector may be obscured by the surface upon which thethermostat 3200 rests. In this case, the thermostat 3200 would have adifficult time distinguishing between users simply walking by thethermostat 3200 and users who intend to interact with the thermostat3200 because zone 3306 as seen by the first proximity detector would beobscured by the desk, table, bookshelf, etc.

In order to overcome this problem in desktop mounting configurations, aspecial intelligent thermostat stand has been designed. FIGS. 34A-34Cillustrate perspective, side, and rear views, respectively, of anintelligent thermostat stand, according to some embodiments. Theintelligent thermostat stand includes mounting holes 3404 that arealigned with the screw holes in the backplate of the intelligentthermostat. The mounting holes 3404 may include metal threaded insertsthat are configured to accept mounting screws extending through thebackplate. In order to help align the intelligent thermostat as it isbeing installed in the intelligent thermostat stand, protrusions 3402may be included that are aligned with screw holes in the back of thebackplate. Therefore, a user can set the backplate in the mounting standin perfect alignment using the protrusions 3402 and then install themounting screws through the mounting holes 3404. The intelligentthermostat stand may also include a cavity 3406 through which thetwo-wire connection can be inserted, or alternatively or additionally,through which a USB connection can be inserted and coupled to the USBport of the backplate to provide power.

The intelligent thermostat stand also includes a reflective surface 3408at the base of the stand. Reflective surface 3408 is able to reflectenergy from the surrounding environment into the first proximitydetector that would otherwise not be visible to the first proximitydetector. This allows both proximity detectors to have a view of thesurrounding environment and be used to detect occupancy patterns anduser approach scenarios that indicate a user is likely to interact withthe intelligent thermostat. In some embodiments, the thermostat may besecured to the thermostat stand such that the thermostat is tiltedupwards forming an angle of between 90° and 110° with the reflectivebase 3408. The slight tilt may allow for a better reflective pattern andallow more energy to be detected by the first proximity detector.Reflective base 3408 may be constructed using a reflective material. Inone embodiment, the reflective base 3408 may be constructed to include astainless steel or metallic finish. Other embodiments may use any othersmooth reflective surface that reflects energy rather than absorbsenergy. One embodiment of the thermostat uses passive infrared (PIR)sensors as the proximity detectors. Another embodiment may also use anactive infrared sensor or microwave sensor to detect proximity. Each ofthe sensor types may be configured to work best with a particular typeof reflective material that corresponds to the sensor(s) used.

FIG. 35 illustrates an exploded view of an intelligent thermostatinstalled on a reflective stand, according to some embodiments. Toinstall the intelligent thermostat on the thermostat stand, thebackplate 3504 should first be connected to a power supply, either thetwo wire connection from the base unit or through the USB port. Asdescribed above, the backplate 3504 may then be aligned using theprotrusions 3402 and then secured to the thermostat stand 3506 via thethreaded mounting holes 3404. After installing the backplate 3504, thehead unit 3502 can be secured to the backplate using the mounting tabs3508 and the connector 3510.

FIG. 36 illustrates a reflection diagram of signals received by aproximity sensor of an intelligent thermostat using a reflective stand,according to some embodiments. After installation, the head unit 3502,the backplate 3504, and the thermostat stand 3506 will be mechanicallysecured together as a complete unit that can be set on a surface and/ormoved around the room at the user's convenience. Zone 3304 from thesecond proximity detector is still projected outward from the head unit3502 in the same pattern as was illustrated in FIG. 33. However, zone3306 from the first proximity detector is now reflected off of thereflective surface 3408 such that zone 3306 is now reflected outwardinto the enclosure rather than towards the ground as illustrated in FIG.33.

Algorithms were previously developed that use the responses of the twoproximity detectors to detect occupancy patterns and/or approachingusers intent on interacting with the thermostat. When set on a surfaceas illustrated in FIG. 36, the same algorithms would generally notprovide reliable results without the reflective surface 3408. However,using the reflective surface 3408 on the thermostat stand 3506, the sameor similar algorithms can be used to detect occupancy and/or imminentinteractions with nearly the same efficiency. Algorithms for detectingoccupancy patterns and/or imminent interactions with the thermostat aremore fully described in U.S. Ser. No. 13/632,112 (Ref. No. NES0157-US),supra, and U.S. Ser. No. 13/632,070 (Ref. No. NES0234-US), supra.

FIG. 37 illustrates a flowchart 3700 of a method for replacing aprogrammer with an intelligent thermostat system, according to someembodiments. As described above in relation to FIGS. 5A-5B, theintelligent thermostat system can act in conjunction with or replace anexisting programmer on a boiler-based heating system. In many cases, theprogrammer will have previously implemented a schedule that dictatedwhen the boiler would be on or off, and thus the user could control whenwater/steam was being actively heated by the boiler. During times whenthe enclosure was usually unoccupied or when the occupants of theenclosure were asleep, the programmer would typically turn the boileroff. The programmer would then turn the boiler back on according to theuser-implement schedule when the occupants woke up or arrived home tothe enclosure.

During the installation of the intelligent thermostat system, the methodmay include determining whether the thermostat should act as aprogrammer (3702). This determination may be made using a sequence ofuser interface displays presented to the user on a user interface of theintelligent thermostat. In some embodiments, the installation processmay include an interview-style series of questions that the user cananswer by rotating the outer wheel of the head unit and clicking tosignify an input. One such question may explicitly ask the user whethera programmer was previously installed in the enclosure. A follow-upquestion could then ask the user whether they would like the intelligentthermostat system to act as a programmer and control the heatingschedule of the boiler.

In another embodiment, determining whether the thermostat should act asa programmer may be made automatically without requiring user input. Inconfigurations where the base unit is connected to the boiler throughthe programmer, the programmer will cut power to the base unit duringtimes when the boiler is scheduled to turn off by the programmer. Insending routine communications to the base unit, the thermostat candetect that the base unit is unpowered when communications gounanswered. Alternatively, the base unit may detect when it is losingpower and may send a message to the thermostat before local powerreserves are depleted. Alternatively, if the thermostat is wired to thebase unit, it may detect when the low-voltage power is removed,indicating power to the base has been removed. If the thermostat detectsthat the base unit is unpowered, it can automatically determine that theuser intends to continue using the programmer in series with theintelligent thermostat system, and that the intelligent thermostatshould not act as a programmer. Alternatively, the user could leave theprogrammer connected to the intelligent thermostat system during alearning period, during which the thermostat could monitor the operationof the programmer to learn its schedule. In this case, the user couldprovide input through the user interface of the head unit directing thethermostat to act as a programmer and learn the programmer schedule bymonitoring the activity of the existing programmer. The user could thenremove the programmer after the learning period is over and thethermostat has detected the programmer schedule.

The method may also include determining a programmer schedule to controlthe boiler (3704). When the intelligent thermostat system is configuredto act as a programmer, it must then determine the times when the userwants the boiler to be off and on. In one embodiment, the user interfaceof the head unit can continue with the interview-style questions and askthe user about the existing programmer schedule. For example, the usercould be asked questions about which days the programmer was on or off,and the hours during those days during which the programmer instructedthe boiler to be active. Very complicated schedules may be designedthrough this user interview process. FIGS. 38A-38D illustrate examplesof user interface displays that may be presented to a user during theinstallation process. The information presented and questions asked ineach interface display may build on the information received in responseto previous questions. In some embodiments, the user can enter aplurality of time intervals during which the boiler should be turned offaccording to the previous programmer schedule.

Turning back to FIG. 37, determining the programmer schedule may also bedone automatically without requiring user inputs. As described above,the existing programmer can be left connected to the base unit during alearning interval. During this time, the thermostat can monitor when theprogrammer cuts power to the base unit and thereby infer times duringwhich the programmer has directed the boiler to turn off. After apredetermined learning interval, such as one day, one week, two weeks,and/or the like, the user may be instructed by the user interface toremove the programmer and connect intelligent thermostat system directlyto the boiler system.

After determining the programmer schedule by learning the scheduleautomatically or receiving the schedule manually from the user, thethermostat may begin operating the activity of the boiler according tothe schedule. There may be times during the initial operational periodof the intelligent thermostat system when the user wishes to manuallycall for heat during times when the boiler is off according to theprogrammer schedule implemented by the thermostat. Therefore, the methodmay further include receiving a manual heating command from the user(3708). In some instances, the manual heating command may be receivedthrough the user interface of the head unit. For example, the user mayrotate the body of the head unit and adjust a setpoint temperature. Inother instances, the manual heating command may be received at the baseunit. For example, the user may press a button accessible on theexterior of the base unit and manually call for heat.

The method may further include determining whether the boiler is on oroff according to the programmer schedule (3710). During times when theboiler is on, the thermostat may operate normally and cause the boilerto circulate heated water/steam through the enclosure, for example, byopening a valve to a particular zone controlled by the thermostat.During times when the boiler is off according to the programmer scheduleimplemented by the thermostat, the base unit can cause the boiler toactively heat water/steam and begin to circulate such through theenclosure. In effect, receiving the manual heating command allows theuser to override the preset programmer schedule implemented by thethermostat and call for heat at any time.

In addition to causing the boiler to heat/provide water/steam to theenclosure in response to a manual call for heat, other operations of thethermostat may also be affected according to the programmer scheduleimplemented by the thermostat. The intelligent thermostat system can usea learning algorithm to automatically establish and adjust setpointtemperatures for regulating the temperature within the enclosure. Duringthe initial operational interval of the thermostat after installation,the learning algorithm can monitor setpoint temperatures as entered bythe user and automatically create and schedule setpoint temperaturesthat are dynamically adjusted over time to mimic the user's setpointtemperatures that were sent manually. After learning the user schedule,the thermostat can automatically adjust the setpoint temperatures basedon what it has learned without requiring the user to manually adjust theschedule or manually program the thermostat. One learning algorithm isdescribed in detail in the commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 8,630,740(Ref. No. NES0162-US), which is incorporated by reference herein.

Because the learning algorithm uses manual adjustments of the setpointtemperature to create a temperature schedule, each interaction with thethermostat is typically used by the learning algorithm. However, whenthe thermostat is also implementing a programmer schedule, it ispossible that the user will manually call for heat during times when theboiler is off. Some embodiments may disregard the heating command in thelearning algorithm (3712) when the boiler is off. In these cases, thereis a conflict between what may be a user-implemented programmer scheduleand a single interaction with the thermostat. In some embodiments,disregarding the heating commands when the boiler is off may only occurduring an initial learning interval of the thermostat's operation. Forexample, during the first two weeks after installation, manual heatingcommands may be disregarded by the learning algorithm when the boiler ison, but after two weeks these manual commands may be used by thelearning algorithm to adjust both the setpoint temperatures and theprogrammer schedule implemented by the thermostat. After the initiallearning interval, or during times when the boiler is on, the manualheating commands may generally be regarded by the learning algorithm asa valid input and adjust the schedule accordingly (3714).

FIG. 39A illustrates a setpoint temperature schedule implementing aprogrammer schedule. In this embodiment, the programmer schedule isimplemented using the normal temperature setpoint schedule that would begenerated by the learning algorithm of the thermostat. Intervals wherethe programmer would have turned the boiler off are set to a very lowsafety temperature, such as 9° C. By setting this low temperature duringintervals when the user indicated they would be away from the enclosureor sleeping, the boiler will be deactivated by the thermostat unless thetemperature in the enclosure dips below the safety temperature. In thesecases, the thermostat can turn the boiler on to avoid freezing pipes orother environmental hazards.

By using the same schedule as the learning algorithm, the learningalgorithm can populate the remaining setpoint temperatures based on userinteractions with the thermostat. FIG. 39B illustrates the same setpointtemperature schedule as FIG. 39A that also includes temperaturesetpoints populated by the learning algorithm. Note that the 9° C.setpoints directing the boiler to turn off have been preserved as thelearning algorithm operates. However, additional setpoints may be added(18°, 19°, 17°, etc.) as the learning algorithm monitors user behavior.Note that after the learning interval is over, and manual heatingadjustments while the boiler is off are allowed to affect thetemperature setpoint schedule, the 9° C. temperature setpoints may alsobe adjusted.

For clarity of description, time intervals for which the now-bypassedprogrammer had previously maintained the boiler in an “off” state arereferenced hereinbelow as “previous-programmer-off” time intervals. Forfurther clarity of description, the schedule setpoints corresponding tothe previous-programmer-off time intervals, such as the 9 degree C.setpoints of FIGS. 39A-39B, are referenced hereinbelow asprevious-programmer-off setpoints. According to one embodiment, learningalgorithms such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,630,740, supra,are configured to treat the previous-programmer-off setpoints as beinglargely immutable, in a manner similar to the way thatschedule-interface setpoints are treated. Briefly stated, according toone or more methods similar to those described in U.S. Pat. No.8,630,740, supra, schedule-interface setpoints are setpoints that havebeen directly entered, according to their desired setpoint time andsetpoint temperature value, by the user using the scheduling facility ofthe thermostat user interface and/or the smartphone/tablet/browser userinterface. In contrast, many of the other setpoints in the schedule ofthe intelligent schedule can be called “learned setpoints” that are theresult of the application of a schedule learning algorithm toimmediate-control inputs (e.g., the user walks up to the dial andchanges the current setpoint temperature, or uses theirsmartphone/tablet/browser to change the current setpoint temperature)and/or to other sensed or received inputs that could be suggestive of adesirable ambient temperature condition. It being found that most usersare more satisfied with the intelligent thermostat when theirschedule-interface setpoints are maintained regardless of theirsubsequent behaviors, the preferred learning algorithms are designed tomaintain schedule-interface setpoints until such time as the useractually alters or removes them later using the scheduling facility.Thus, according to one embodiment, the previous-programmer-off setpointsare maintained and are not altered by the thermostat's schedule learningalgorithms, remaining as they are until such time as the user actuallygoes into the scheduling facility and removes or alters them. Accordingto a different embodiment, the previous-programmer-off setpoints aretreated like schedule-interface setpoints for a first fixed time period,such as two weeks, but are then treated as “ordinary” learned setpointsthereafter by the automated schedule learning algorithms, beingchangeable as a function of user immediate-control inputs or othersensed user or household behaviors. In still another embodiment, amultiple-staged approach is provided, wherein theprevious-programmer-off setpoints are treated like schedule-interfacesetpoints for a first fixed time period, such a week or two, thentreated a little bit less like schedule-interface setpoints and morelike ordinary learned setpoints for a send time period, such as a weekor two, and then treated as “ordinary” learned setpoints thereafter bythe automated schedule learning algorithms. For purposes of description,one might think of the learning thermostat's schedule setpoints a havingdiffering degrees of “stickiness” or resistance to being changed by theschedule learning algorithms, with ordinary learned setpoints having arelatively low degree of stickiness, and with schedule-interfacesetpoints being extremely sticky. According to still other embodiments,the stickiness of the “previous-programmer-off” setpoints can begradually altered over time, on a many-staged or even continuous basis,from being very highly sticky to less sticky as time goes by.

As described above, pressing the button on the base unit may direct theintelligent thermostat system to begin heating regardless of the stateof the boiler. In some embodiments, pressing the button may turn theboiler on and circulate heated water/steam for a predetermined timeinterval, such as one hour. In other cases, pressing the button may turnthe boiler on and circulate heated water/steam until a second press ofthe button directs the intelligent thermostat system to turn the boileroff again. In other cases, pressing the button may turn the boiler onand may leave the boiler on until the thermostat directs the boiler toturn off according to the temperature setpoint schedule, such as theschedule illustrated in FIG. 39B.

FIG. 40 illustrates a flowchart 4000 of a method for compensating formovement of an intelligent thermostat, according to some embodiments. Ininstallation configurations where the thermostat is mounted to the wall,it may be very unlikely that the thermostat will move during itsoperational lifetime. However, in installation configurations where thethermostat is placed on a surface, possibly using the intelligentthermostat stand described above, it may be more likely that thethermostat will move within a room of an enclosure, or even betweenrooms within the enclosure.

As described above, an intelligent thermostat system may include manyfeatures that rely on gathering user data automatically over time,analyzing the user data with specific algorithms, and implementingthermostat actions based on the analyzed user data. For example,intelligent thermostat systems may use one or more proximity sensors todetect when a home is unoccupied and automatically adjust thetemperature accordingly. This feature may be referred to as an “autoaway” feature. Additionally, a “time-to-temperature” algorithm analyzesthe thermal inertia of a room and determines how long it will take totransition the ambient air temperature between temperature setpoints.Other features, such as automatic sunlight correction, automaticself-heating correction, sensor confidence algorithms, user profiles,and/or the like, may rely on learning algorithms based on collected userdata. Also, sensor data may measure thermal properties of the enclosureor environmental conditions. User data along with other sensor responsesmay be referred to herein as “parameters.”

The results of the learning algorithms are typically valid as long asthe thermostat stays mounted in the same location, and may occasionallyremain valid so long as the thermostat is in the same room of theenclosure. However, when the intelligent thermostat is moved from oneroom to another room within the enclosure, the thermal characteristicsof the room may change, the ability of sensors to correctly detectoccupancy patterns and user interactions may change, the effect of otherenvironmental conditions may increase or decrease, and/or thetemperature schedule may no longer be relevant. In short, the user dataanalyzed by the learning algorithms may no longer be valid, and thethermostat features based on the analyzed user data may no longeroperate as a user expects.

In order to compensate for thermostat movements, a method may includedetermining whether the thermostat has changed locations (4002).Determining whether the thermostat has changed locations may includereceiving an indication from a user that the thermostat is moved. Forexample, a menu item on the user display may allow a user to provideinput indicating that the thermostat is in a new location. Alternativelyor additionally, the thermostat may automatically determine when it hasmoved based on sensor readings. For example, the intelligent thermostatmay include a GPS receiver or accelerometer that could provide movementdata alerting one of the processors on the thermostat that thermostatmovement has likely occurred. In another example, a radio signalstrength may be measured for both the Wi-Fi radio and/or the radio usedto communicate between the base unit and the thermostat. Changes in thestrength of the radio signal may indicate that the thermostat has moved.In another embodiment, the thermostat can detect a loss of power, suchas when a user unplugs the thermostat to move the thermostat to a newroom. As power is restored to the thermostat, the thermostat mayautomatically infer that it has moved, or automatically query the userthrough the user interface as to whether the thermostat has moved. Inanother example, an increased level of user activity in interacting withthe thermostat, such as manually adjusting setpoint temperatures, mayindicate that the environment has changed, i.e. users may notice thatthe thermostat is not operating as desired and manually adjust thetemperature more often in the new room. In another example, theintelligent thermostat may determine that the thermal characteristics ofthe surrounding environment have changed. If temperature sensorsindicate that the heating time is significantly different from the timepredicted by a time-to-temperature algorithm the thermostat couldautomatically determine that the thermostat is in a new thermalenvironment.

It should be noted that detecting changes in the thermal environment canbe used in situations where the thermostat has not itself moved butwhere the thermal characteristics of the room have changed. For example,users may install new window coverings, users may install new heatingoptions such as radiant flooring or ceiling fans, prolonged seasonalchanges may have an effect on the thermal characteristics of theenclosure, and/or the like. In these cases, this method may be used toautomatically recalibrate the thresholds and time estimates calculatedby the learning algorithms.

After determining whether the thermostat has changed locations (ordetermining that the thermal characteristics of the enclosure havechanged significantly) the method may include invalidating existinglocation-dependent data sets (4004) and depending upon the situation,different user data sets may be invalidated (and in some casesreplaced). For example, if the new location is in a room similar to theold location, the time-to-temperature data may remain valid. If the newlocation places the thermostat in view of the old location, then theoccupancy data may still be valid. In some embodiments, the thermostatcan continue operating with thresholds set by the old user data in orderto determine which data sets are still valid.

After determining which data sets need to be replaced, the method mayadditionally include restarting the learning algorithms and collectingnew user data (4008). New occupancy patterns can be detected, newthermal characteristics of the enclosure can be determined, and/or thelike.

Some embodiments of the intelligent thermostat system may include otherfeatures that may be advantageous in certain circumstances. In someembodiments, the base unit may include a temperature/humidity sensorthat can be used to detect dangerous conditions. For example, atemperature sensor in the base unit can be used to detect if the boileris overheating and becoming a fire risk. A humidity sensor can be usedto determine basement flooding conditions and/or conditions that mayfacilitate growth of mold or rot.

Some embodiments may also provide additional antenna options. Forexample, the internal diversity antennas may be used by default in thebase unit along with a hidden antenna port to attach an external antennawith a coaxial feed cable. This allows service professionals to installa higher gain directional antenna if the internal antenna signal is notstrong enough. Inserting the external antenna could automaticallydisable the internal antennas through a mechanical sensing fixture. Forexample, the external antenna connector could include a screw-downconnector that has a mechanical switch to disconnect the pass-throughpath to the diversity antennas when an external antenna is inserted. Inother embodiments, the external antenna connector may include a smallshield segment that is not connected to ground. Once the externalantenna is attached, the shield will short to ground. This can bedetected by the internal processor and the external antenna can beselected. In other embodiments, the external antenna can simply shortthe antenna feed to ground as part of its construction. This allows thebase unit to detect that the feed and ground are shorted once theantenna is screwed in place externally. In other embodiments, attachingthe external antenna will change the impedance as seen by the poweramplifier, which will change the current consumption of the amplifier.That change could be detected by the internal processor and the externalantenna can be selected. In other embodiments, the base unit can use theexisting wires in the wall as a waveguide to carry wireless signals tothe thermostat. For example, a 2.4 GHz signal transmitted across thepower line has been shown to extend wireless communication range and becompatible with wiring such as thermostat cable or plastic shielded12AWG Romex power cable. This situation may be particularly advantageouswhen the building material used to separate floors in the enclosure isparticularly thick or causes a high-level interference.

FIG. 41 illustrates a flowchart 4100 of a method for selecting betweenand onboard antenna and an auxiliary antenna, according to someembodiments. The method may include detecting a connection of anauxiliary antenna (4102). As described in detail above, some embodimentsof the base unit may include at least one onboard antenna. The onboardantenna(s) may be mounted to the base unit circuit board and locatedwithin the base unit casing. For example, the onboard antenna maycomprise the pair of diversity antennas 2212 on the base unit circuitboard 2016 from FIG. 22. In contrast, the auxiliary antenna may comprisean external antenna inserted during installation/testing as describedabove. In some embodiments, the auxiliary antenna may be permanentlyconnected to the base unit if it is determined that the onboardantenna(s) are unable to adequately receive wireless transmissions fromthe head unit of the intelligent thermostat or other wireless devices.

The auxiliary antenna may be implemented using many different antennatypes. For example, the auxiliary antenna may comprise a monopoleantenna, a dipole antenna, a loop antenna, and/or the like. In someembodiments, the auxiliary antenna may comprise a dipole coaxial antennathat is connected to the base unit through a coaxial insertion point.The auxiliary antenna may be connected to the base unit by inserting ajack into a base unit receptacle. The auxiliary antenna may also beconnected to the base unit using a mated pair of BNC connectors. In someembodiments, the auxiliary antenna may be screwed into a threadedreceptacle in the base unit. Note that these examples are listed forillustrative purposes only, and not meant to be limiting. Any mechanicalconnection may be used to connect the auxiliary antenna to the baseunit.

Connection of the auxiliary antenna can be detected in many differentways. Some embodiments may employ mechanical sensing systems tomechanically detect a physical connection of the auxiliary antenna tothe base unit. For example, separation switches or contact switches maybe used to detect when the auxiliary antenna is inserted into the baseunit, screwed to the base unit, or otherwise coupled to the base unit.Additionally or alternatively, some embodiments may employ electricalsensing systems to electrically detect the presence of an auxiliaryantenna. One such electrical sensing system will be described in detailbelow in relation to FIGS. 42A-42B.

The method may also include disconnecting an onboard antenna (4104). Theonboard antenna may be disconnected by activating a mechanical orelectrical switch in order to disconnect the onboard antenna from thebase unit wireless communication module (including, for example, thebase unit radio 2208 and the front end module 2210 from FIG. 22). Insome embodiments, the onboard antenna may be disconnected by instructingthe base unit wireless communication module to no longer send or receivecommunications through the onboard antenna. Therefore, disconnecting theonboard antenna may encompass an electrical and/or mechanicaldisconnection.

The method may additionally include transmitting/receiving wirelesscommunications through the auxiliary antenna (4106).Transmitting/receiving wireless communications through the auxiliaryantenna may occur automatically once the onboard antenna isdisconnected. In some embodiments, the base unit wireless communicationmodule can automatically redirect communications through pins connectedto the auxiliary antenna. In some embodiments, the base unit wirelesscommunication module can use a single pin to send/receive wirelesstransmissions and electrical/mechanical switches outside of the baseunit wireless communication module can select between the auxiliaryantenna and the onboard antenna.

The method may further include detecting the removal of the auxiliaryantenna, reconnecting the onboard antenna, and transmitting/receivingwireless communications through the onboard antenna. Generally, theprocess of switching from the auxiliary antenna back to the onboardantenna may follow the reverse procedure as described above. Forexample, electrical/mechanical sensing circuits can detect the removalof the auxiliary antenna, and electrical/mechanical switches canreconnect to the onboard antenna. The base unit wireless communicationmodule can then again begin transmitting/receiving wirelesscommunications through the onboard antenna.

Although this method of switching between an auxiliary antenna and anonboard antenna is described in relation to the intelligent thermostatsystem of this disclosure, all embodiments need not be so limited. Ingeneral, this method of detecting and switching between antennas couldbe used in any wireless communication system. For example, the smarthome depicted in FIG. 1 may include many intelligent sensor devices thatcommunicate wirelessly throughout an enclosure. Any of these wirelesssensor devices may benefit from this antenna switching method duringinstallation, testing, and/or normal operation.

FIG. 42 illustrates a circuit diagram 4200 of a system for selectingbetween an auxiliary antenna and an onboard antenna, according to someembodiments. For exemplary purposes, the circuit diagram 4200 may beimplemented in the base unit of the intelligent thermostat systemdescribed herein. The base unit circuit board 2016 includes a wirelesscommunication module 4220 which may be include the base unit radio 2208and the front end module 2210 from FIG. 22. Other embodiments may usedifferent wireless communication modules. During operation without anauxiliary antenna, the wireless communication module 4220 cantransmit/receive wireless communication signals through the onboardantenna(s), such as the pair of diversity antennas 2212 on the base unitcircuit board 2016.

As described above, the pair of diversity antennas 2212 may be orientedat 90° angles such that one of the pair of diversity antennas 2212 mayhave better reception than the other. In some embodiments, the wirelesscommunication module 4220 can select one of the pair of diversityantennas 2212 and thereafter communicate through the selected antenna.When switching between an onboard antenna and an auxiliary antenna, thewireless communication module 4220 can use a switch 4218 to disconnectone or both of the pair diversity antennas 2212. The switch 4218 can beimplemented with a FET switch or a mechanical relay.

In some embodiments, the auxiliary antenna may comprise a coaxial dipoleantenna 4202. The coaxial dipole antenna can be connected to the baseunit circuit board 2016 through a BNC connector or any other type ofcoaxial connector. For purposes of illustration, the coaxial dipoleantenna connector is expanded to show connectors 4206 and 4210 for thecoaxial dipole antenna 402 that can be mated with the connectors 4208and 4212 of the base unit circuit board 2016.

In order to detect the connection of the coaxial dipole antenna 4202,connectors 4208 and 4212 can be connected to pins 4222 and 4224 of thewireless communication module 4220, respectively. Pin 4224 can also beconnected to a DC voltage, such as V_(cc). In some embodiments, pin 4224can be connected to the voltage through an impedance 4214. Similarly,pin 4222 can be connected to ground, and this connection can be throughan impedance 4216 in some embodiments. The ground may comprise abackplane ground and/or a reflective ground for the pair of diversityantennas 2212. For example, the ground may comprise a ground plane onthe underside of the base unit circuit board 2016.

When the coaxial dipole antenna 4202 is not connected to the base unitcircuit board 2016, the DC voltage at pin 4222 will be approximatelyground (0 V). The wireless communication module 4220 can read thevoltage at pin 4222, and if the voltage at pin 4222 is approximatelyground, then the wireless communication module 4220 can determine thatthe coaxial dipole antenna 4202 is not connected to the base unitcircuit board 2016, and therefore that the wireless communication module4220 should transmit/receive wireless communications through the pair ofdiversity antennas 2212 through switch 4218.

The coaxial dipole antenna 4202 may include a circuit element 4204 thatconnects connector 4210 to connector 4206. The circuit element 4204 maycomprise a wire, an inductor, or any other conductive material orcircuit element. In some embodiments, the circuit element 4204 can besized to operate like a quarter-wave (λ/4) impedance transformer. Forexample, the circuit element 4204 can be sized such that the path frompin 4224 through connectors 4212 and 4210, through circuit element 4204,through connectors 4206 and 4208, to pin 4222 is approximately ½wavelength. For example, if the wireless communication module 4220operates at 2.4 GHz corresponding to a wavelength of 12.5 cm, then thecircuit element 4204 can be sized such that the length of the pathdescribed above can be approximately 6.25 cm. By sizing the circuitelement 4204 to operate as a quarter-wave impedance transformer, thecircuit element 4204 can provide a DC short between connector 4210 andconnector 4206. The λ/4 wave transformer will transform the shortcircuit into an open circuit which has no effect on the RF signals onthe line. Likewise, an open circuit can be transformed into a shortcircuit for RF signals. Therefore, the circuit element 4204 will looklike an open circuit to the RF emissions of the wireless communicationmodule 4220.

When the coaxial dipole antenna 4202 is connected to the base unitcircuit board 2016, the DC voltage at pin 4222 will measure a voltagehigher than ground. The exact voltage will depend upon the ratio ofimpedance 4214 and impedance 4216. Thus, the wirelessly communicationmodule 4220 can read the voltage at pin 4222. If this voltage is higherthan ground (or close to a known voltage determined by the impedanceratio), then the wireless communication module 4220 can determine thatthe coaxial dipole antenna 4202 is connected to the base unit circuitboard 2016. In response, the wireless communication module 4222 can openswitch 4218 and thereby disconnect the pair of diversity antennas 4212.Therefore, when the coaxial dipole antenna 4202 is connected to the baseunit circuit board 2016, the circuit element 4204 will provide a shortcircuit for DC signals, while simultaneously providing an open circuitfor RF signals. A single pair of pins 4222 and 4224 can be used to bothsend and receive RF transmissions from the wireless communication module4220 and to detect a connection of the coaxial dipole antenna 4202.

The circuit arrangement of FIG. 42A may offer several advantages. First,the mere connection of the coaxial dipole antenna 4202 can automaticallycause the wireless communication module 4220 to disconnect the pair ofdiversity antennas 4212. Additionally, the number of pins on thewireless communication module required for such operations can beminimized. It will be understood that the circuit arrangement of FIG.42A is merely exemplary and not meant to be limiting. Many otherhardware/software embodiments of the general method described inrelation to FIG. 41 will be readily apparent in light of thisdisclosure.

FIG. 42B illustrates a circuit diagram 4200 b of a system for selectingbetween an auxiliary antenna and an onboard antenna, according to someembodiments. Circuit diagram 4200 b may be considered a more generalcircuit than the specific implementation illustrated in circuit diagram4200 a. In circuit diagram 4200 b, the antenna 4232 need not be acoaxial dipole antenna. Instead, the antenna 4232 can be generalized asany antenna—such as an Inverted-F Antenna (IFA), a Planar Inverted-FAntenna (PIFA)—that will produce a DC ground at the RF “feed point” ofconnector 4212.

In circuit diagram 4200 b, pin 4224 can be used to detect whether or notthe antenna 4232 is connected externally. When the antenna 4232 isdisconnected, pin 4224 will sense a Vcc voltage pulled up throughimpedance 4214. When the antenna 4232 is connected, the antenna 4232will produce a DC ground at pin 4224 through impedance 4230 and theantenna 4232. As described above, the antenna 4232 can be configured toproduce an RF open circuit between connectors 4206 and 4210.

It should be noted that the circuit examples illustrated in FIGS.42A-42B are merely exemplary and not meant to be limiting. Otherembodiments may implement the principle of connecting an externalantenna to produce a DC ground or voltage using different circuitelements and/or arrangements. For example, the Vcc and Gnd signals maybe reversed in FIG. 42B, additional impedances may be added, the switch4218 may be combined with the output of pin 4224 such that only a singleRF output needs to be provided by the wireless communication module4220, and so forth. Many other circuit arrangements would be readilyapparent to one having skill in the art in light of this disclosure.

Whereas many alterations and modifications of the present invention willno doubt become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art afterhaving read the foregoing description, it is to be understood that theparticular embodiments shown and described by way of illustration are inno way intended to be considered limiting. Therefore, reference to thedetails of the preferred embodiments is not intended to limit theirscope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A control system flexibly adapted for retrofituse with multiple types of pre-existing boiler-based heating systems,the control system comprising: a thermostat device comprising a userinterface, a processor, a memory, and a temperature sensor, thethermostat device further comprising: signal encoding circuitry forgenerating coded control signals for selectively controlling activationof a boiler-based heating system; and a first wireless antennacommunication module for transmitting said coded control signals; and aboiler control device comprising: a housing; a second wireless antennacommunication module for receiving said coded control signals from thethermostat device; boiler control circuitry for selectively controllingactivation of the boiler-based heating system according to said codedcontrol signals from the thermostat device; an onboard antenna disposedwithin said housing and communicatively coupled to the second wirelessantenna communication module; an interface configured to receive anauxiliary antenna, the auxiliary antenna disposed outside of saidhousing; detection circuitry configured to detect times when theauxiliary antenna is communicatively coupled to the interface; andswitching circuitry configured to detect said times when the auxiliaryantenna is communicatively coupled to the interface and, in response,automatically interrupt communication between the onboard antenna andthe second wireless antenna communication module during said times whenthe auxiliary antenna is communicatively coupled to the interface. 2.The control system of claim 1 further wherein the boiler control devicefurther comprises an additional onboard antenna, wherein the onboardantenna and the additional onboard antenna are positioned approximatelyorthogonally to each other.
 3. The control system of claim 2 wherein thesecond wireless antenna communication module of the boiler controldevice is configured to select between the onboard antenna and theadditional onboard antenna based on which is receiving a strongestsignal from the first wireless antenna communication module of thethermostat device.
 4. The control system of claim 1 wherein theauxiliary antenna comprises a coaxial dipole antenna.
 5. The controlsystem of claim 1 wherein the interface comprises a first connector, asecond connector, and a circuit element coupling the first connector tothe second connector, the circuit element being configured to appear tothe second wireless antenna communication module of the boiler controldevice as an open circuit for wireless communication signals and as aclosed circuit for DC signals.
 6. The control system of claim 1 whereinthe detection circuitry comprises a mechanical switch that is actuatedwhen the auxiliary antenna is received by the interface.
 7. The controlsystem of claim 1 wherein the detection circuitry is configured todetect a DC short when DC signals are passed through the interface. 8.The control system of claim 1 wherein the auxiliary antenna is receivedby the interface during installation of the boiler control device.
 9. Aboiler control device flexibly adapted for retrofit use with multipletypes of pre-existing boiler-based heating systems, the boiler controldevice comprising: a housing; a wireless antenna communication modulefor receiving coded control signals from a thermostat device; boilercontrol circuitry for selectively controlling activation of theboiler-based heating system according to said coded control signals fromthe thermostat device; an onboard antenna disposed within said housingand communicatively coupled to the wireless antenna communicationmodule; an interface configured to receive an auxiliary antenna, theauxiliary antenna disposed outside of said housing; detection circuitryconfigured to detect times when the auxiliary antenna is communicativelycoupled to the interface; and switching circuitry configured to detectsaid times when the auxiliary antenna is communicatively coupled to theinterface and, in response, automatically interrupt communicationbetween the onboard antenna and the wireless antenna communicationmodule during said times when the auxiliary antenna is communicativelycoupled to the interface.
 10. The boiler control device of claim 9further comprising an additional onboard antenna, wherein the onboardantenna and the additional onboard antenna are positioned approximatelyorthogonally to each other.
 11. The boiler control device of claim 9wherein the auxiliary antenna comprises a coaxial dipole antenna. 12.The boiler control device of claim 9 wherein interface comprises a firstconnector, a second connector, and a circuit element coupling the firstconnector to the second connector, the circuit element being configuredto appear to the wireless antenna communication module of the boilercontrol device as an open circuit for wireless communication signals andas a closed circuit for DC signals.
 13. The boiler control device ofclaim 9 wherein the detection circuitry comprises a mechanical switchthat is actuated when the auxiliary antenna is received by theinterface.
 14. The boiler control device of claim 9 wherein thedetection circuitry is configured to detect a DC short when DC signalsare passed through the interface.
 15. A method of selecting betweenantennas on a boiler control device flexibly adapted for retrofit usewith multiple types of pre-existing boiler-based heating systems, themethod comprising: receiving coded control signals from a thermostatdevice through a wireless antenna communication module of the boilercontrol device; selectively controlling activation of the boiler-basedheating system according to said coded control signals from thethermostat device; detecting times when an auxiliary antenna iscommunicatively coupled to an interface, wherein: an onboard antenna isdisposed within a housing of the boiler control unit and communicativelycoupled to the wireless antenna communication module; and an interfaceis configured to receive the auxiliary antenna, the auxiliary antennabeing disposed outside of said housing; detecting said times when theauxiliary antenna is communicatively coupled to the interface; and inresponse to detecting said times when the auxiliary antenna iscommunicatively coupled to the interface, automatically interruptingcommunication between the onboard antenna and the wireless antennacommunication module during said times when the auxiliary antenna iscommunicatively coupled to the interface.
 16. The method of claim 15wherein the boiler control device further comprises an additionalonboard antenna, wherein the onboard antenna and the additional onboardantenna are positioned approximately orthogonally to each other.
 17. Themethod of claim 15 wherein the auxiliary antenna comprises a coaxialdipole antenna.
 18. The method of claim 15 wherein interface comprises afirst connector, a second connector, and a circuit element coupling thefirst connector to the second connector, the circuit element beingconfigured to appear to the wireless antenna communication module of theboiler control device as an open circuit for wireless communicationsignals and as a closed circuit for DC signals.
 19. The method of claim15 wherein the detection circuitry comprises a mechanical switch that isactuated when the auxiliary antenna is received by the interface. 20.The method of claim 15 wherein the detection circuitry is configured todetect a DC short when DC signals are passed through the interface.